Foreign states can more easily impose their decisions on fragile countries, political scientist Professor Dilara Chowdhury said today (10 August), warning that weak state institutions make external influence easier.
She made the remarks at a discussion titled “Strategies for State Sovereignty in Bangladesh amid the New Global and Regional Geopolitical Context” at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
Dilara said modern domination extends beyond territorial occupation to influence over a country’s institutions, resources and public mindset. She also identified social division as a key tool of external influence, saying Bangladesh’s long-standing political, social, cultural and professional divisions have weakened national cohesion.
She said the July Uprising sought state reform and national unity, but political divisions remain. On international agreements, Dilara said citizens have the right to know whether government deals serve national interests.
“Agreements with the United States, as well as military and other agreements with Saudi Arabia, Arab countries and South Africa, should be made public. These issues should be discussed in parliament. No major international agreement should be made while keeping people in the dark,” she said.
She also called for stronger defence capabilities, particularly to protect Bangladesh’s maritime boundary and resources in the strategically important Bay of Bengal, where several major powers have interests.
Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, said Bangladesh needs balanced relations with the United States, Western countries and China to counter external dominance.
He said stronger military capabilities must be accompanied by strong democracy, political space for the opposition, and protection of minority and human rights.
International human rights activist and photojournalist Shahidul Alam said changing the government alone would not bring the desired transformation and called for changes in Bangladesh’s political and social character. He urged the government to take a firm position on national sovereignty.
AB Party General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad said attempts were repeatedly being made to create controversy over the July uprising. He called for accountability over the reported failure to pay salaries and allowances of July Smriti Foundation employees and the removal of some exhibits related to the anti-Indian hegemony movement from the July Museum.
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