Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining balanced relations with major global partners, stating that stronger ties with one country do not weaken relationships with others.
Speaking to reporters, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman said the country’s foreign policy is guided by national interests rather than geopolitical competition.
“Our relationship with any country is not a zero-sum game with our relations with another country. We will never build relations with one country by hurting our relations with another country.”
Dr. Rahman said Bangladesh seeks to deepen cooperation with all its international partners while safeguarding its national interests.
Using a colloquial expression, he remarked that international relations should not be viewed as a rivalry between countries.
“These are relationships based on interests, and we will go wherever our interests lie.”
His comments came amid growing international attention on Bangladesh’s engagement with the United States, India and China.
The Foreign Minister’s statement follows the visit of US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor to Bangladesh.
During the visit, Bangladesh and the United States are expected to discuss:
- Bilateral strategic cooperation
- Regional security
- Economic collaboration
- Humanitarian issues, including the Rohingya refugee situation
Dr. Rahman described the visit as an exploratory engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral understanding.
The remarks also come as Bangladesh moves ahead with the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) project in Chittagong.
The industrial park, being developed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), represents a major infrastructure investment under long-standing bilateral cooperation.
The project is expected to support industrial development, investment and employment in Bangladesh.
Dr. Rahman indicated that Bangladesh values its relationship with India alongside its engagements with other global powers.
He noted that while the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China was successful, a future visit to India would also be welcomed.
Bangladesh reiterated that maintaining constructive ties with neighbouring countries remains an important element of its foreign policy.
According to the Foreign Minister, Bangladesh’s diplomatic approach is centred on:
- Protecting national interests
- Expanding economic cooperation
- Strengthening regional stability
- Building partnerships with multiple countries
He stressed that Dhaka does not view foreign relations as mutually exclusive but as complementary avenues for development and cooperation.
