The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun preparations for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first overseas visit, with Bhutan likely to be the inaugural destination.
Diplomatic sources said Bhutan, along with two other member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), has extended invitations for bilateral visits. The final decision will depend on national priorities, scheduling, and strategic considerations.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam confirmed the groundwork. “We are taking preliminary preparations. So far, we have received some invitations and are working on them,” she said.
She added that the ongoing Middle East crisis and domestic factors may delay the tour by a month or two. “The decision on the first destination will ultimately be taken by the prime minister,” she noted.
Protocol considerations
High-profile regional leaders attended the swearing-in of the BNP-led government, including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
While diplomatic protocol might suggest the Maldives as the first stop, no formal invitation has been confirmed. Bhutan, India, and Pakistan, however, have already extended official invitations.
A former diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “It is the prime minister’s prerogative to decide the itinerary. Several factors come into play, including national interest, political sensitivity, and partner countries’ priorities.”
Neighbourhood diplomacy at the forefront
The BNP manifesto emphasises revitalising SAARC and strengthening ties with neighbouring countries. “We are committed to building relations of equality, cooperation, and friendship with our neighbours, based on mutual respect and understanding,” it states.
On water-sharing issues, the party pledged to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share from transboundary rivers, including the Padma and Teesta. It also highlighted border security, promising strict action against cross-border crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking, and drug trade.
A senior foreign ministry official said regional diplomacy is now a government priority, citing a recent iftar hosted by the prime minister where envoys from neighbouring countries were seated at the head table alongside Tarique Rahman—a gesture signalling Dhaka’s renewed focus on regional ties.
