B Mirror Report:Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday declared that “Bangladesh First” will serve as the cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy, affirming Dhaka’s commitment to maintaining friendly and balanced relations with all nations, particularly its neighbors, on the basis of respect and mutual benefit.
Speaking to reporters at the state guest house Padma on his first day in office, Dr. Rahman said the government has undertaken a comprehensive reassessment of its diplomatic approach and established a clear guiding principle centered on national interest. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he noted that the premier has repeatedly emphasized that “Bangladesh First” will anchor the country’s engagement with the world.
The foreign minister outlined five core principles underpinning the policy framework: sovereign equality, respect for each other’s independence, non-interference in internal affairs, preservation of national dignity and honor, and mutual benefit. Stressing that the government would protect national interests to the fullest extent, he said Bangladesh aims to pursue responsible and courageous diplomacy grounded in careful consideration of its priorities.
In response to questions on regional stability, Dr. Rahman expressed a desire to restore a confident and proactive diplomatic posture reminiscent of the era of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. He recalled that after joining the United Nations, Bangladesh successfully secured a seat at the United Nations Security Council and played a key role in founding the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to promote regional cooperation.
On relations with neighboring countries, Dr. Rahman reiterated that Dhaka seeks respectful and mutually beneficial ties and would work to remove any obstacles or stagnation in bilateral relations. He emphasized that foreign policy decisions would be driven solely by state interests rather than personal or partisan considerations.
Regarding potential bilateral visits, the minister said it was too early to announce specific destinations, though invitations from several countries have been received and decisions will be communicated in due course.
Addressing the Rohingya crisis, Dr. Rahman assured that the government’s focus on the issue would intensify. He said Bangladesh maintained communication with both the Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army during the interim period and would continue engagement to pursue a swift, realistic and sustainable solution.
Highlighting the sensitive nature of foreign affairs, he described the media as a crucial partner in conveying Bangladesh’s diplomatic stance, while cautioning that inaccurate or imprudent statements could affect international relations. He pledged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would ensure transparency through regular information sharing and accountability in its activities.
