The government’s recently formed cabinet committee tasked with formulating a crisis management plan to maintain economic stability amid global conflicts has raised questions among diplomatic experts, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) was not included in the body despite its mandate touching on issues related to international relations.
A government circular issued on Monday stated that the seven-member committee will be chaired by the finance minister. Other members include the ministers of local government and rural development, home affairs, energy, commerce, expatriate welfare and overseas employment, and food.
Diplomatic analysts expressed surprise at the composition of the committee, noting that the body is expected to address challenges stemming from international developments but does not include representation from the foreign ministry. They argue that excluding the ministry responsible for managing Bangladesh’s external relations could create coordination gaps in dealing with global crises.
Impact of global conflicts
Ongoing conflicts involving Iran, Israel, the United States and the prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine have already disrupted global supply chains and created uncertainty in commodity markets.
The recent military tensions in the Middle East pushed global oil prices to nearly $120 per barrel on Monday before falling to around $90 after US President Donald Trump indicated that the conflict with Iran might end soon. Analysts warn that continued volatility in energy markets could significantly affect energy-importing economies such as Bangladesh.
The Middle East situation is particularly important for Bangladesh because millions of Bangladeshi migrant workers are employed in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Any regional escalation could directly affect employment opportunities, remittance flows and the safety of Bangladeshi workers.
Meanwhile, the Russia–Ukraine war has continued for more than four years, affecting global food and commodity supply chains. Bangladesh has faced difficulties importing certain essential commodities, including wheat, due to disruptions linked to the conflict.
Need for foreign ministry involvement
In times of crisis, energy diplomacy or migration diplomacy in other South Asian countries are conducted by foreign policy experts with the involvement and active participation of MoFA.
Experts point out that Bangladesh’s Rules of Business clearly emphasise the role of the foreign ministry in matters related to international relations. Clause 15 of the Rules states that no ministry should dispose of a case affecting Bangladesh’s foreign relations without prior consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Former foreign secretary Masud bin Momen said the committee’s mandate will inevitably involve international dimensions. He explained that policies designed to respond to global crises such as supply chain disruptions, migration issues and diplomatic coordination require direct involvement of the foreign ministry.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, the foreign ministry played a central role in crisis management by coordinating with foreign governments, arranging support for Bangladeshi workers abroad and facilitating diplomatic engagement on urgent issues,” he noted.
According to him, Bangladeshi missions abroad distributed food and emergency assistance to distressed migrant workers who had lost jobs or gone unpaid during the pandemic. Senior diplomatic interventions were also made with host governments to delay deportation processes or ease restrictions affecting Bangladeshi nationals.
He recalled instances where diplomatic engagement helped prevent abrupt actions that could have negatively affected Bangladeshi workers overseas. In one case, when a country planned to deport Bangladeshi prisoners at once, diplomatic discussions helped delay the process and manage the situation more smoothly.
Experts argue that similar diplomatic coordination may be necessary if global conflicts disrupt migration, trade or supply chains affecting Bangladesh.
In times of global crisis government of the day should fully utilise all resources and assets under its disposal which includes MoFA and all its missions abroad. Including the foreign ministry in the committee would strengthen inter-ministerial coordination and ensure that external dimensions of the crisis are properly addressed.
