Report on Roundtable Discussion on Maritime Security in the Bay of Bengal: Emerging Threats and Strategies of Bangladesh

This report captures a comprehensive discussion on the Bay of Bengal’s evolving risk picture and the strategic options available to Bangladesh. Experts reviewed piracy trends, armed robbery incidents, narcotics and human smuggling routes, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and environmental hazards, including oil spills and cyclones. They assessed vulnerabilities in port, shipping, and offshore energy infrastructure, including cyber risks that can cascade into kinetic consequences. The proceedings highlight the centrality of maritime domain awareness (MDA), interoperable communications, and legal finish—ensuring that interdictions lead to effective prosecution. Participants advocated for standard operating procedures across agencies, joint exercises, and information-sharing with neighbors and multilateral centers. The report underscores that security and development are intertwined: safer sea lanes underpin trade, fisheries sustainability, and blue-economy investments. A layered strategy—intelligence, prevention, response, and recovery—offers the best odds of reducing risk at acceptable cost.