Dhaka: Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated today that the youth of Bangladesh, who were at the forefront of last year’s historic July-August uprising, will play a pivotal role in reshaping the country’s political landscape and institutions. This transformation is expected to guide the nation away from past divisions and toward a more constructive, knowledge-driven future.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Touhid Hossain made these remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Bengal Delta Conference 2025, where policymakers, academics, and experts gathered to discuss the interplay of politics, economics, and geopolitics in South Asia. He paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the 2024 July-August movement, acknowledging their role in enabling the ongoing transformation.
Touhid expressed optimism that the new generation would prevent a return to the political dysfunctions of the past. He highlighted the rapidly changing global landscape, identifying three major events influencing geopolitics: the Ukraine war, the genocide in Gaza, and escalating US-China tensions.
He noted a significant shift in Western public opinion, particularly in the United States, towards supporting the Palestinian cause, with increasing criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza from Jewish intellectual circles. In the context of South Asia, he observed that US-India relations, previously centered on containing China, are undergoing a recalibration.
However, Touhid cautioned against assuming permanent geopolitical shifts, noting that the “geopolitical basics remain unchanged” despite discussions of new alignments involving India, China, and Russia. He emphasized that the 21st century is poised to be an “Asian century,” with Africa potentially rising in the 22nd century if it can leverage its demographic advantages and manage its resources effectively.
Touhid also addressed the protracted Rohingya crisis, now in its eighth year, warning that it is evolving from a national to a regional threat. He pointed out that nearly a million young Rohingyas, many of whom are now in their late teens and early twenties, cannot be expected to remain confined to camps indefinitely, stressing that an unresolved crisis could become a serious regional and global security issue.
Domestically, Touhid emphasized the need for education reform, criticizing the existing “educational apartheid.” He lamented the stark disparities in access to quality education, noting that about 30 percent of students completing primary school struggle with basic literacy in Bangla, let alone English. He urged universities, particularly Dhaka University, to focus on research and quality outcomes over mass enrollment.
Concluding his address, Touhid stressed the importance of viewing politics as a means to strengthen institutions, enhance education, and create opportunities for youth, thereby preventing them from risking their lives through illegal migration. He asserted that political power should be wielded to build institutions, expand knowledge, and secure a better future for young people.
The Bengal Delta Conference 2025, organized by the Dacca Institution of Research and Analytics (DAIRA), convened regional and international experts to explore the future of South Asia in the face of climate change, shifting geopolitical alignments, and economic challenges. The conference features sessions on governance, sustainable development, and the role of youth in shaping inclusive politics.