Ziauddin Hyder, an advisor to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman, has indicated that Bangladesh’s incoming government plans to undertake a comprehensive reassessment of its foreign policy, aiming to establish balanced and respectful relations with India as well as other neighbouring countries. The proposed shift, he said, would mark a departure from diplomatic approaches followed over the past decade and a half, with a renewed focus on safeguarding national interests while strengthening regional cooperation.
In an interview with India Today, Hyder stated that a government led by Tarique Rahman intends to “reset” earlier foreign policy decisions and adopt a more balanced diplomatic posture. He explained that future relations with India and other regional partners would be guided by principles of mutual benefit, equality, and respect, emphasizing that Bangladesh would seek constructive engagement without compromising its own priorities.
Hyder also welcomed a recent social media message posted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as a positive gesture that could help improve bilateral communication. He referred as well to India’s diplomatic outreach following the death of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, including a condolence message and a visit by India’s foreign minister, calling these developments encouraging signs for renewed dialogue between the two countries. According to Hyder, such gestures create opportunities for both sides to return to meaningful discussions and address shared concerns through sustained engagement.
Highlighting the BNP’s broader diplomatic outlook, Hyder said the party strongly supports multilateral cooperation and regional connectivity. Reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) would be a key objective, he noted, as the organisation could provide an effective platform for India, Bangladesh, and other neighbouring nations to collaborate on economic development, security challenges, and regional stability.
He reiterated that the BNP’s foreign policy framework would operate under a “Bangladesh First” approach, prioritising domestic development alongside international engagement. Key policy areas identified by the party include improvements in healthcare, education, agriculture, food security, and climate and environmental management. Hyder also stressed the importance of addressing shared water resources and border-related issues through dialogue and cooperation, suggesting that lessons learned from past governance would inform a more forward-looking strategy.
The political developments follow national elections in which the BNP secured a strong parliamentary majority, winning 209 out of 297 contested seats. The right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as another significant political force with 68 seats. The Awami League, led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was barred from participating in the election. Official figures indicated a voter turnout of 59.44 percent.
Election authorities postponed the announcement of results in two constituencies—Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4—while voting in another seat was delayed following the death of a candidate. As the new political leadership prepares to assume power, Hyder’s remarks signal an intention to recalibrate Bangladesh’s diplomatic direction while maintaining engagement with regional partners through dialogue and cooperative frameworks.
