As a contributing members of the international community, Bangladesh has a proactive foreign policy that places, apart from pursuing bilateral cooperative relations, an accent on multilateralism, especially at the United Nations. In 1974, Bangladesh joined both the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations and has since been elected to serve two terms on the Security Council in 1978-1979 and 2000-2001. In the 1980s, Bangladesh played a lead role in founding the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in order to expand relations with other South Asian states. Bangladesh is also a member of the Non-aligned Movement, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and regional forums like IOR-ARC, BIMSTEC, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and D-8.
The Constitution of Bangladesh embodies the basic principles of the country’s foreign policy. It states that the state shall base its international relations on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and respect for international laws and principles as enunciated in the United Nations’ Charter.
The forward-looking foreign policy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government is essentially rooted on the principle of ‘friendship with all and malice towards none’ as propounded by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. As an active member of the UN, the Non-aligned Movement, the OIC, the Commonwealth and various other international forums, Bangladesh promotes global peace, stability, cooperation and development. Bangladesh had pioneered the formation of SAARC- a regional cooperation body comprising the eight nations of South Asia-namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The country has vigorously pursued the cause of enhancing cooperation with neighboring countries of South Asia and South-east Asia. Remarkable breakthroughs have already been made in improving friendly relations with India through highly successful official visits by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, M.P.
Since assumption of office in January 2009, the present government has been pursuing an active foreign policy geared, inter alia, to maximize economic goals. Priority emphasis is placed now on bolstering trade, connectivity and economic ties with the countries of South and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh has already signed agreements for free trade areas under the aegis of SAARC and BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation). Vigorous efforts are also being made for enhancing both expanded markets as well as better terms of employment for Bangladeshi workforce including professionals.
The country remains firmly committed to the consensus for a terrosism-free world order and for a peaceful, prosperous and balanced global development. The active participation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Non-Aligned Summit and international climate conferences during 2009 is a testimony to her keen interest un upholding the interests of the developing countries in the global arena. Bangladesh is committed to remain engaged in global peace-keeping and peace-building. The government is not only interested in deploying troops, but also to contribute to the evolving peace-building discourse.