Bangladesh will never be a dependent state again: Foreign Minister

Bangladesh will never again be a 'client state' or dependent on any other country, said Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. He said one of the biggest achievements of the July mass uprising was the re-establishment of the country's independent foreign policy.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at an event organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark 'July Mass Uprising Day' at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Wednesday, August 5.

Recalling the situation two years ago, the Foreign Minister said, "Even while abroad, we observed with deep concern the loss of young lives, government repression and the nationwide internet shutdown." He remarked that even during the 1971 Liberation War, information flow was not halted in this manner.

He noted that at the time, Bangladesh's severe human rights violations were presented to senior UN officials, which helped generate international pressure to reduce violence and accelerate political change.

Sharing his experience as National Security Adviser in the subsequent interim government, Dr Khalilur Rahman said, "At that time, three major challenges — ensuring the chief adviser's security, maintaining government stability and facilitating political transition through an acceptable election — were successfully overcome. EU observers have also described the recent election as festive and acceptable, through which the new government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has assumed office."

On diplomatic achievements, the Foreign Minister said, "Bangladesh is reclaiming the position it was about to lose in the international arena."

Citing a recent meeting with Turkey's Foreign Minister, he said the current government's foreign policy is fundamentally based on 'Bangladesh First'. Bangladesh will never again remain dependent on any other country.

Referring to Bangladesh's victory in the election for the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Dr Khalilur Rahman said, "This 'impossible mission' was achieved under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. It is the result of the coordinated efforts of Bangladesh's Permanent Mission in New York, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomats serving in various embassies around the world."