With the current FIFA World Cup ongoing in Qatar, it has been heartening to see that, with Bangladesh's fervent support for Argentina's national team led by Lionel Messi, there has been acknowledgement and appreciation from Argentina towards Bangladesh and its passionate football fans.
With that said, news that Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero has said that the South American nation is planning to open its embassy in Bangladesh which has been closed since 1978 is not only wonderful news, but shows that the mutual admiration and respect shared between Argentina and Bangladesh may only be beginning.
There is no doubt tremendous potential for the countries to improve upon their existing bilateral relationship and diversify trade; the opening of an embassy in Bangladesh would certainly help accelerate the process even more. Bangladesh for its part must now welcome Argentina and show the appreciation that its football fans have shown the Argentina football team over the World Cup.
Bangabandhu's words of “friendship to all and malice towards none” have guided Bangladesh's foreign policy and diplomacy initiatives for close to five decades now. Over the past decade or so, diplomacy efforts have been ramped up, with Bangladesh looking to soon graduate from a least developed country and become a middle income economy.
The authorities concerned must capitalize on this momentum that has been established with regard to strengthening ties with Argentina, and there is hope that we will continue forging new friendships with other nations and reach our full potential as a nation.