Bangladesh’s stronger ties with one country do not come at another’s expense: FM

Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen relations with one country should not be interpreted as a deterioration in ties with another, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said today (29 July), stressing that Dhaka’s foreign policy is driven solely by national interests.

“Improving relations with one does not mean that relations with another are deteriorating,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We have relations with many countries. This is not like a fight between co-wives. These are interest-based relationships. Wherever our interests lie, we will go there,” he said.

The minister said Bangladesh aims to strengthen its relations with all countries while protecting and advancing its national interests.

His remarks come amid heightened diplomatic engagement with major powers following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China and ahead of a planned visit by US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor.

Khalilur described Gor’s upcoming visit as “exploratory”, saying the envoy would seek a broader understanding of Bangladesh through meetings with government officials, political leaders, professionals and civil society representatives.

Gor is also expected to visit the Rohingya camps. Khalilur noted that the US remains the largest international contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian response.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh-US relations are multidimensional and that both sides are keen to deepen cooperation. Asked whether Dhaka expected any pressure from Washington over the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), he replied, “We do not feel any kind of pressure.”

Referring to Bangladesh’s recent engagement with China, Khalilur said PM’s visit to Beijing had been successful and expressed hope that a future visit to India would also produce positive outcomes.

During the visit, Gor is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, alongside holding discussions with political leaders, professionals and civil society representatives.

Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Khalilur Rahman on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, where both sides discussed ways to further enhance Bangladesh-US relations.