State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday acknowledged that the conflict could have an immediate impact on remittances as many Bangladeshi workers in the Middle East have lost their jobs, while some have been forced to return home and others are struggling to remain in the region without employment.
Such disruptions could affect remittance inflows, she said, noting that Saudi Arabia alone hosts more than three million Bangladeshis.
Responding to a question after attending a seminar, Shama, however, expressed optimism that the government would be able to overcome the challenges in the long run by exploring new overseas employment markets.
The Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working to identify new destinations for Bangladeshi workers.
The government also aims to create employment opportunities for those who have returned home after losing their jobs abroad, she added.
Shama said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized skilled migration and technical education to expand legal overseas employment and curb irregular migration.
She expressed hope that Bangladeshi workers would be able to access new job markets through improved skills and technical training.
Mentioning the recent attacks in Saudi Arabia, Shama said Bangladesh has lost two nationals in the incidents over the past two days, while at least 24 other Bangladeshis are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the country. Several of them are in intensive care units (ICUs), she said.
“We hope this situation will come to an end soon and the war will stop, as ordinary people are being killed and families are being destroyed,” the state minister said.
She said the government is closely monitoring the situation and hoped the conflict would end soon to prevent further casualties and suffering.
Energy security
Asked about the possible impact of the conflict on Bangladesh's energy security, Shama said the government has long been working to achieve greater self-sufficiency in the energy sector by exploring alternative sources.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the energy ministry has been working to identify new sources of energy, she said.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit is currently in Saudi Arabia to discuss energy cooperation between Bangladesh and the kingdom, Shama added.
She, however, said she has not received any indication of an immediate problem in the country's energy sector due to the conflict.
“This is not my department. You will get a better understanding if you speak to the energy minister,” the state minister said, expressing hope that the ministry's preparations and plans would help Bangladesh cope with any potential disruption.
If the war creates problems for Bangladesh, she said, the impact would not be confined to the country, as nations across the world could face similar difficulties. “We do not see ourselves in that situation at this moment,” she added.
No decision yet to join Mecca Pact
Asked whether Bangladesh would send troops to Saudi Arabia if requested, Shama said Bangladesh has not yet joined the Mecca Pact.
“You can say that a decision has been taken only when it is formally announced. We have not joined the Mecca Pact yet, so the question of sending troops does not arise at this moment,” she said.
Shama said Bangladesh stood in solidarity with the Saudi government and people and wanted an immediate end to the attacks.
Responding to a question about the security of Mecca and Madinah, the state minister said the issue carried both diplomatic and emotional significance for Muslims around the world.
She said Bangladesh, where the majority of the population is Muslim, would not remain unmoved if the two holy cities faced a threat, adding that the country would extend a helping hand in such a situation.
Living in a global turmoil
The state minister said the increasingly complex international order, intensifying strategic rivalries and regional conflicts underscore the need for a foreign policy that responds to emerging realities while remaining firmly anchored in Bangladesh’s national interests.
“In this interconnected world, a crisis in one region has far-reaching and lasting consequences for others,” she said, noting that decisions taken in one capital can shape trade flows across continents, while geopolitical rivalries among major powers can influence the strategic choices available to countries far beyond their immediate neighborhood.
Speaking at the seminar, Shama said the evolving international landscape has made the discussion particularly timely.
Referring to the ongoing conflicts and growing instability around the world, the state minister said Bangladesh is also facing the consequences of the unfolding global turmoil.
“We are actually living in a global turmoil,” she said, highlighting the far-reaching implications of international conflicts.
She said Bangladesh needed a foreign policy that was not only responsive to emerging international realities but also guided by its national interests as the global landscape continued to evolve.
PM holds discussion with MPs
Shama also thanked the prime minister for holding a three-hour open discussion with over 200 members of parliament, allowing them to raise issues concerning their constituencies and the country as a whole.
She said the prime minister urged lawmakers to remain vigilant to ensure that the upcoming Durga Puja was celebrated peacefully across the country.
Given the sensitivity surrounding the festival, she said, lawmakers have been asked to work in their respective constituencies to maintain peace and communal harmony.
She alleged that elements associated with the previous fascist regime and other groups could attempt to disrupt the celebrations, stressing the need for vigilance to prevent any untoward incident.
On local government elections, Shama said there is no need for fresh instructions, adding that the ruling BNP would consider its position regarding candidates in union parishad elections and by-elections when those polls are held.
Asked about India, she said Bangladesh has no assessment to offer at the moment, describing the matter as an internal issue of India.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized the seminar titled “Foreign Policy of Bangladesh: Navigating Pathways in a Shifting World” at the BIISS auditorium.
BIISS Director General Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman began the session with welcome remarks and chaired it.
Four papers were presented by BIISS researchers Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director, Dr Sufia Khanom, Research Director, ASM Tarek Hassan Semul, Research Fellow, and Ayesha Binte Towhid, Research Fellow.
The speakers explored the importance of advancing a national interest-driven foreign policy responsive to emerging geopolitical realities while safeguarding national sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
Particular emphasis was placed on aligning foreign policy with contemporary defense and security priorities to address emerging challenges and preserve regional stability.
The program examined ways to prioritize Bangladesh’s economic interests within an increasingly uncertain multilateral system, notably amidst the rapid growth of AI, with a view to strengthening economic resilience and expanding international cooperation.
Significance of upholding ideological commitments and principled values in shaping a consistent credible foreign policy was underscored.
Discussions stressed on the need of building a balanced, pragmatic, and forward-looking foreign policy framework that would advance Bangladesh’s national interests while reinforcing its role as a responsible actor in the global arena.
Senior officials from different ministries of Bangladesh, foreign diplomatic missions, media, businesspeople, teachers and students from various universities, researchers, representatives from various think tanks were present.