"ASEAN has a history of engaging with external partners through Sectoral, Dialogue, and Development partnerships. Bangladesh has already established bilateral relationships with most ASEAN members and actively participates in regional forums like the BIMSTEC and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Formalizing a sectoral dialogue partnership is a logical next step"
##########
As Bangladesh expresses keen interest in becoming a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the ASEAN, the regional bloc should consider deeper engagement with the country or even its eventual inclusion. Bangladesh, with its rapidly growing economy, a young workforce, and a GDP nearing $450 billion, sits at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia. In an increasingly multipolar Indo-Pacific, a partnership with the country presents ASEAN a timely opportunity to recalibrate its regional aspirations with a mutually beneficial ally. For ASEAN to expand its economic and strategic footprint in the Bay of Bengal and beyond, Bangladesh emerges as not just a willing partner, but a valuable one.
The current interim government in Bangladesh has increasingly turned its attention toward Southeast Asia, signaling a strategic shift in its foreign policy to build stronger diplomatic and economic ties with ASEAN countries. Its recent talks with Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore reflect Bangladesh's growing desire to diversify its international partnerships beyond traditional allies like India and the West. Bangladesh's longstanding foreign policy of "friendship to all, malice toward none" now translates into a more pragmatic approach that seeks broader engagement in Asia.
ASEAN has a history of engaging with external partners through Sectoral, Dialogue, and Development partnerships. Bangladesh has already established bilateral relationships with most ASEAN members and actively participates in regional forums like the BIMSTEC and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Formalizing a sectoral dialogue partnership is a logical next step.
With ASEAN's rapidly growing economies, strategic regional influence, and integrated markets, the bloc presents a compelling opportunity for Bangladesh to boost trade and enhance geopolitical relevance. But what's in it for ASEAN?
Starting with the most pressing issue: the Rohingya crisis. Since 2017, over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees have fled Myanmar's Rakhine State to seek refuge in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. ASEAN, which includes Myanmar among its member states, has long struggled to address the crisis in a manner that is both diplomatically sensitive and effective. Bangladesh, as the host country, has borne the humanitarian burden almost single-handedly.
Greater ASEAN engagement with Bangladesh could allow for more productive dialogue and responsibility-sharing. ASEAN's limited efforts for the cause have often been hamstrung by the principle of non-interference and Myanmar's reluctance. By incorporating Bangladesh as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner, ASEAN could institutionalize collaboration and create joint platforms for refugee repatriation discussions, monitoring mechanisms, and capacity-building programs.
ASEAN's credibility as a regional organization committed to peace, stability, and human rights is on the line. Ignoring Bangladesh's role and perspective risks making ASEAN appear insular. On the other hand, meaningful collaboration would signal a more outward-looking and humanitarian approach.
The case for deeper engagement goes well beyond the Rohingya issue. Bangladesh's geostrategic location along the Bay of Bengal makes it a natural partner for ASEAN's maritime nations. As regional waters become vital arenas for both ecological sustainability and economic growth, the blue economy presents a compelling frontier for cooperation.
Bangladesh has been increasingly investing in marine resources, offshore renewable energy, and sustainable fisheries management. ASEAN countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines share similar interests. A sectoral dialogue partnership could facilitate joint research, technology transfer, and policy coordination in sustainable ocean governance. Maritime environmental threatssuch as plastic pollution, illegal fishing, and habitat destructiondo not recognize national boundaries. Coordinated regional action is the only effective response.
And then there's the economic angle, something ASEAN has always prioritized. For ASEAN countries seeking to diversify markets and reduce dependence on traditional trade routes, Bangladesh offers a vibrant consumer base and a competitive manufacturing sector. ASEAN businesses are already working with Bangladeshi firms, but the potential hasn't even begun to be tapped. A formal sectoral partnership could create smoother supply chains connecting Vietnam, Thailand, and Bangladesh for more trade, investment, and joint ventures.
A sectoral partnership would help create a formal platform to align investment policies, reduce trade barriers, and enhance connectivity- an urgent need as the world shifts toward regional economic resilience in a post-pandemic era.
Beyond business, as maritime threats in the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea grow more complex, regional actors must collaborate more closely. With China's increasing presence in regional waters, ASEAN must diversify its security dialogues and partnerships. Bangladesh, as a naval power in South Asia with a growing blue-water navy and active participation in UN peacekeeping operations, can be a reliable partner in ensuring maritime peace and stability. It's balanced diplomatic ties with both China and India make it an ideal interlocutor in regional maritime diplomacy.
Bangladesh's aspiration to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN should not be seen merely as a diplomatic overture rather it is a strategic proposition. From addressing humanitarian crises to strengthening regional trade and maritime security, the case for deeper engagement is not just compelling; it is necessary.The time is ripe to institutionalize cooperation and co-create a shared vision for the future.
The writer is a student, University of Dhaka
