Although Bangladesh is a small country in South Asia, its strategic position is very important worldwide. Being located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and between two large countries like India and Myanmar, Bangladesh’s international relations have always been complex and multifaceted. It is in this geopolitical context that the ‘Look East’ policy has added a new dimension to Bangladesh’s foreign policy. The main objective of this policy is to strengthen economic, political, and trade relations with the countries of South and Southeast Asia.
Traditionally, Bangladesh’s foreign policy was India-centric. But gradually, Bangladesh has realized that dependence on only one country can be risky for its sovereignty and economic development. Therefore, Bangladesh has gradually started looking east since the beginning of the nineties. There are several reasons behind this. First, the countries of Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, are very strong economically. Bangladesh wants to diversify its export markets by increasing trade relations with these countries. As a result, the country’s economy will not depend on a specific market, and it will be more stable.
Secondly, Bangladesh can further strengthen its strategic position by establishing cultural and commercial relations with these countries. Discussions are underway with ASEAN countries on a free trade agreement (FTA), which can open up huge opportunities for Bangladesh. Through this, Bangladeshi products will get easy access to a huge market.
Thirdly, the ‘Look East’ policy is also important for Bangladesh in terms of regional security. The support of countries like Thailand and Indonesia is very important for Bangladesh in dealing with the border issue with Myanmar and the Rohingya crisis. Since these countries are Muslim majority, their role can be much more effective in resolving the Rohingya crisis. In addition, one of the objectives of this policy is to create an alternative strategy for Bangladesh to counter China’s growing influence in the Bay of Bengal.
However, the implementation of the ‘Look East’ policy is not easy. There are also some challenges in building relations with these countries. Such as communication and infrastructure constraints, complexities over trade agreements, and political stability. In addition, maintaining its position amidst major initiatives such as China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) and India’s ‘Act East’ policy is a major challenge for Bangladesh.
Overall, the ‘Look East’ policy is an important aspect of Bangladesh’s foreign policy. It is not just a strategy for economic development, but also an attempt to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the geopolitical context. The successful implementation of this policy is very important for the future development of Bangladesh.
