Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam on Thursday said migration management has become an integral part of national security amid evolving global and geopolitical realities.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at a program titled Migration Governance as a National Security Instrument in Bangladesh at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) in Mirpur Cantonment, he said migration is no longer solely an issue of the economy, employment or the labor market.
"It is directly linked to a country's internal stability, border management, humanitarian protection and overall national security," he said.
Shamsul said the concept of national security has expanded beyond protecting territorial boundaries to include safe migration, legal employment opportunities, orderly cross-border movement, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of Bangladeshis living abroad.
He warned that failure to ensure safe, orderly and well-managed migration could create multidimensional challenges for domestic stability, border security and regional peace.
Highlighting the importance of remittances to the economy, he stressed the need to develop a skilled workforce, expand opportunities for safe and regular migration, and equip prospective migrants with adequate knowledge, training and protection.
He also called for stronger coordination among relevant institutions to combat irregular migration, fraud, human trafficking and transnational criminal networks.
Describing Bangladeshi expatriates as valuable contributors to both the national economy and the country's global image, the defence adviser said the state's capacity must be strengthened to protect their rights, security and dignity while providing support during times of crisis.
"A well-coordinated, humane and security-conscious migration system can accelerate Bangladesh's economic progress while reinforcing national security," he said.
He also called for a forward-looking migration policy that integrates the economic, humanitarian, social and security dimensions of migration, emphasizing the importance of policy-oriented research, reliable data, skilled human resources and coordinated institutional efforts.
During an interactive session, BUP students raised questions on migration policy, human trafficking, the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates, border management, regional geopolitics and national security. Responding to the queries, the defence adviser highlighted the growing strategic importance of migration governance in the changing global order.
The event was attended by BUP Vice-Chancellor Maj Gen Md Mahbub-Ul Alam, senior military and civil officials, deans, faculty members, researchers and students.
Concluding the program, the defence adviser praised BUP's contributions to education, research and national development, expressing hope that the university would continue to play an active role in policy research, national dialogue and promoting security awareness among young people.