Development partners want to see a liberal democratic Bangladesh: Humayun Kabir

In a pointed response to speculation surrounding Donald Trump’s return to power and its potential impact on post-prising Bangladesh, former ambassador and international affairs analyst M Humayun Kabir has said that development partners, including the United States, overwhelmingly prefer to see a liberal, democratic Bangladesh.

Appearing on bdnews24.com’s Inside Out discussion programme, Humayun pushed back against suggestions that a Trump administration would dramatically alter Washington’s approach to Bangladesh’s evolving political and foreign policy landscape.

“I don’t believe that will happen,” he said. “Having served in Washington for many years, I can say the US wants to see Bangladesh as a stable nation. Regardless of who is in power, what matters to them is stability, democratic governance, and a liberal, open society.”

He emphasized that this view is not limited to the US: “I say this firmly—not just the US, but all our development partners want to see Bangladesh as a liberal democratic country.”

Humayun added that the aftermath of the July Uprising had instilled a new sense of agency among Bangladeshis. “Call it a revolution or a mass movement—what emerged afterward was confidence and self-awareness. That shift in national consciousness is now subtly influencing our external relations.”

During the show, broadcast Saturday on bdnews24.com’s Facebook and YouTube channels, Kabir also shared his insights on the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Bangladesh’s relations with China, tensions with India, and the proposal for a humanitarian corridor in Myanmar.

MAINTAIN ‘NEUTRAL’ TIES WITH INDIA, CHINA

Following the fall of the Awami League government and Sheikh Hasina’s flight to India, diplomatic friction between the two South Asian neighbours has intensified. In response to India's restrictions on visas, Bangladesh is now considering China as an alternative destination for medical services and is also prioritising deeper engagement with Beijing, including cooperation on the Teesta River master plan.

Commenting on Bangladesh’s evolving relationships with both regional powers, former ambassador Humayun said the country must pursue a “needs-based” and “neutral” foreign policy.

“Our national interests are such that we must maintain ties with all sides,” he said in an interview. “If you look at our development activities, our import-export dynamics—India and China are deeply embedded in them.”

Humayun emphasised the need for balance, saying: “We also recognise that India and China are strategic rivals. Managing that space will depend on our diplomatic skills—on how we maintain a non-dependent relationship with China while sustaining an independent one with India.”

He advised that Bangladesh adopt a strictly pragmatic approach. “We should align with no one. We will maintain only the relationships that are necessary for our national interest.”

Acknowledging the delicate geopolitical rivalry between India and China, he added: “We must handle our foreign policy with caution to avoid being drawn into their strategic contest.”

‘INDIA NEEDS TO BE REASSURED’

Amid a recent thaw in Bangladesh-Pakistan ties, Humayun also stressed the importance of diplomatic clarity with India to avoid misunderstanding.

Since the July Uprising, Dhaka has made moves to normalise relations with Islamabad, exploring opportunities for increased trade and cooperation.

Humayun framed this shift not as a geopolitical realignment but as a step toward diplomatic normalisation.

“For the past 15 years, our relations with Pakistan have not been normal. What we are seeing now is simply an attempt to correct that,” he explained.

But he emphasised that India must be reassured this outreach is not hostile.

“We need to convey clearly to New Delhi that our engagement with Pakistan is in line with what’s expected between neighbours. It is not anti-India—just as our relationship with India is not anti-Pakistan or anti-China.”

He concluded by stressing the need for strategic diplomacy.

“We must ensure our friends and partners understand our position. This is where Bangladesh needs to demonstrate greater diplomatic agility and competence.”

FOREIGN POLICY MUST REFLECT PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS

Bangladesh is entering a new phase of foreign relations shaped by growing public consciousness and democratic aspirations, said the former ambassador. He emphasised that the country’s evolving diplomacy must align with the expectations of its people.

“Call it a revolution or a popular uprising—since July, a new self-confidence has emerged in Bangladesh. We now believe we can. That self-awareness is influencing how we view and manage our international relationships.”

Humayun referred to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus’s call for relations based on equality and mutual respect. “That’s exactly what we want with India, too. But India, after 15 years of engaging with a different political dynamic in Bangladesh, is now encountering a shift.”

He noted that Bangladesh’s foreign policy has become more independent.

“India may perceive this as a departure, but it is not a rupture. Our core national interests—such as electricity imports—remain unchanged. In fact, our power imports from India have increased by 17 percent in the past 8–9 months, driven purely by necessity.”

He stressed that such pragmatic cooperation proves that relations must be evaluated at multiple levels. “Given our proximity, economic interdependence is inevitable. The key is to ensure this relationship is guided by mutual respect and equality.”

Humayun Kabir attributed recent tensions with India to the nature of past relations. “For 15 years, the people of Bangladesh were largely excluded from foreign policy decisions. These were state-to-state dealings. Now, the public has expectations—and sustainable diplomacy must reflect that.”

INDIA’S REMARKS VIOLATE DIPLOMATIC NORMS

He criticised recent comments by Indian officials suggesting that bilateral ties may not normalise until a new elected government is in place in Bangladesh.

“That implies rejection of the current administration, which—regardless of political preference—represents the people of Bangladesh,” said Humayun, who previously served as a diplomat in India. “You can't skip over the present to engage with a hypothetical future government.”

He added, “Diplomatic etiquette dictates that you work with the government in place. Bangladesh has never said it would only work with a certain Indian government. India should show the same respect.”

REVIVING SAARC IS ‘UNREALISTIC’

The analyst expressed scepticism about Yunus’s call to revive SAARC, the South Asian regional bloc.

“Of course, we support the idea. After all, SAARC originated from a Bangladeshi proposal. But given the continued hostility between India and Pakistan—both key SAARC members—reviving the platform under current conditions is highly unrealistic.”

RAKHINE CORRIDOR REQUIRES WIDER CONSENSUS

On the UN-backed proposal for a humanitarian corridor in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Humayun Kabir cautioned against moving forward without full national and international consultation.

“Our top priority remains the repatriation of Rohingya refugees. We must assess whether allowing a corridor will aid or hinder that goal,” he said.

He questioned whether the corridor would meaningfully advance repatriation and emphasised that Bangladesh must define its position based on national interests—not external pressures.

Responding to criticism from the BNP and other political parties about the lack of consultation, the former diplomat said: “Would dialogue have guaranteed their agreement? Perhaps not—but meaningful consultation is still essential.”

He underscored the need for broad-based dialogue. “This decision shouldn't involve just political parties—it must also include relevant ministries, civil society, and key partners like China and India.”

Calling the corridor proposal a “complex initiative”, the international affairs analyst stressed: “Implementation will require both internal consensus and external coordination. Without that, this initiative risks being derailed.”

[Writing in English by Syed Mahmud Onindo and Sheikh Fariha Bristy]