With Bangladesh looking to take the next logical step in its economic journey, it has never been more important for us to build better relationships with other nations, particularly those within South Asia.
Indeed, as we continue to be guided by the principles of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it is “friendship to all and malice to none” that has become our foreign policy mantra -- one that we continue to adhere to.
Keeping in mind our foreign policy ambitions, news of the recent agreement signed between Bangladesh and Bhutan this past Wednesday on the movement of traffic in transit is reason for optimism -- allowing us to develop stronger ties with a neighbouring nation.
And we could not agree with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs more when they remark that this landmark agreement will certainly help to facilitate trade and commerce between the two countries -- leading to shared prosperity for both.
Indeed, among criticisms directed at the entirety of the South Asian region has been the relatively poor connectivity that remains in the region, and it is only through bilateral understanding and agreements on the part of all the nations that we will see progress made.
For Bangladesh, these are the sort of conversations and agreements it must continue to pursue and ensure that they are implemented; as has been said repeatedly, with graduation from a least developed country to becoming a middle income economy, we will lose many privileges afforded to LDCs.
It is therefore imperative that we continue with our “friendship to all and malice to none” approach to diplomacy, and together with the assistance of all of our current and potential partners, help Bangladesh fulfil all of its economic goals.
