Porimol Palma

By choosing Malaysia for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first foreign visit after assuming office, the BNP government is signalling a pragmatic foreign policy approach rather than being drawn into equations involving India, China and the West, analysts say.

During his first foreign visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman sought to redefine bilateral ties beyond labour migration by expanding cooperation in trade, investment and regional affairs.

Analysts see a push to deepen trade, energy, technology and strategic ties with Southeast Asia

Four-day China visit expands cooperation beyond economy to diplomacy, connectivity, investment and strategic engagement

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China appears to be reflecting the BNP government's pursuit of greater strategic flexibility at a time of intensifying global competition.

The visit should be viewed as part of a broader and continuing process of engagement between Bangladesh and China.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China has opened a new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations while triggering renewed scrutiny in New Delhi over Beijing's expanding footprint in Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal region.

The same old corrupt practices appear to be stalking the prospect of resuming labour recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia. The worries have resurfaced despite Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur's repeated promises to make the process more transparent.

The UNDP has been present in Bangladesh since its independence, and our work has evolved alongside the country’s needs.

The BNP government has inherited one of the most complex foreign policy and humanitarian challenges in Bangladesh’s history: the Rohingya crisis.