BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

BANGLADESH FOREIGN POLICY:CONSTRAINTS, COMPULSIONS AND CHOICES

Author: Imtiaz Ahmed

DOI Link: DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2011v32n3a1

ABSTRACT

Bangladesh foreign policy has undergone different transition and phases for the last 40 years. The first phase could be considered as the diplomacy of recognition as the country had to struggle to build relationship with those countries which were against the Liberation War of Bangladesh with Pakistan. The first phase, however, ended in 1974 especially after Pakistan’s recognition to Bangladesh and this paved the way for a new phase referred to as the economic diplomacy. During this period, cementing the relationship with the West to ensure aid and assistance was the cornerstone of Bangladesh foreign policy. Although the thrust for economic diplomacy gained further momentum and brought newer dynamics due to building the good relationship with the Western countries, globalisation, open market economy as well as struggling to catch the international market have made the situation susceptible for Bangladesh. Besides, choices in foreign policy of the country are often limited by constraints and compulsion traced from energy insecurity and climate change. Against this backdrop, the main intention of the paper is to argue that Bangladesh must embark a new phase pursing its energy and climate diplomacy. Moreover, there has to be a substantial investment on the culturalfront or ‘soft power’ to minimise the foreign policy compulsions and materialise the choices.