Bangladesh has no assessment to offer on the ongoing protests in New Delhi, as the demonstrations are India’s internal matter, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Monday.
“Bangladesh has no assessment at the moment. This is India’s internal matter, and India itself will face it,” she told journalists after a seminar at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in Dhaka.
She was responding to a question about the protests in the Indian capital and reports of an increase in alleged cross-border push-ins along the Bangladesh-India border.
Her comments came after the national seminar, titled Foreign Policy of Bangladesh: Navigating Pathways in a Shifting World, which examined Bangladesh’s foreign policy priorities in a changing international environment.
Replying the questions on other regional issues, Shama expressed concern over the continuing conflict in the Middle East, saying attacks in Riyadh had killed two Bangladeshi nationals, while more than 24 others were receiving treatment in hospitals in the Saudi capital, with several in intensive care.
“We hope this situation will end soon and the war will stop, because ordinary people are being killed and ordinary families are being destroyed,” she said.
On whether the regional conflict could disrupt Bangladesh’s energy cooperation with Saudi Arabia, she said the government was working to strengthen energy security by exploring alternative sources.
“Our Energy Ministry has been working under the leadership of the prime minister to find new sources of energy,” she said, adding that the state minister for energy was in Saudi Arabia discussing energy cooperation between the two countries.
She said Bangladesh had not yet received indications of any significant disruption to its energy cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
“Up to now, we have not heard of any such problem. We hope the preparations and planning undertaken by the Energy Ministry will not face difficulties,” she said.
However, if the conflict disrupted energy supplies, Bangladesh would not be alone in facing the consequences, she added.
“If there is any problem because of this war, it will not be specific to Bangladesh. The whole world will face these difficulties, and we will address them if they arise,” she said.
On the impact of the conflict on remittances, Shama acknowledged that the situation could affect Bangladesh, which relies heavily on migrant workers in the Middle East.
“Some of our workers have lost their jobs, and some have been forced to return home.
Others are staying in the Middle East with great difficulty but without jobs. This could have an impact on remittances,” she said.
She said the government was seeking new overseas employment markets to reduce the risks facing Bangladeshi workers.
“Our Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry and Foreign Ministry are working to find new markets. We hope to create employment opportunities for those who have returned home and open up new destinations for our workers,” she said.
The government was also prioritising skills development and legal migration to help Bangladeshis secure better employment opportunities abroad, she added.
“Prime Minister has placed emphasis on skilled migration so that Bangladeshis can acquire technical education and go abroad for work,” she said.
Noting that more than three million Bangladeshis work in Saudi Arabia alone, she said the conflict was bound to have some immediate impact, but expressed hope that efforts to diversify overseas labour markets would help Bangladesh overcome the difficulties in the longer term.
Asked whether Bangladesh would send troops if Saudi Arabia requested military assistance, she said the country had not formally joined the proposed security arrangement Makkha Pact.
“We have not joined the arrangement yet, so the question of sending troops does not arise at this stage,” she said.
She reiterated Bangladesh’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia, saying the prime minister had sent a letter to the Saudi crown prince expressing support.
“We stand with the people and the government of Saudi Arabia. We want these attacks to stop immediately,” she said.
On the security of Makkah and Madinah, she said Bangladesh would be prepared to extend assistance if the holy cities faced a threat.
“If there is a threat to Makkah and Madinah, we will not simply sit back. As Muslims, we have not only a diplomatic responsibility but also an emotional attachment to these holy places. We would extend a helping hand,” she said.
Speaking at the seminar, she said, “The success of our foreign policy will not be measured merely by the scope of our diplomatic engagements, but evaluated through its contribution to our economic prosperity.”
Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman, Director General, BIISS began the session with welcome remarks and chaired it while 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.
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 defence and security priorities to address emerging challenges and preserve regional stability.
The programme examined ways to prioritise 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.