Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today emphasized the continuation of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's non-aligned foreign policy by the current Bangladesh government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The policy, rooted in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) vision and multilateral interests, prioritizes building friendships while avoiding enmity within the framework of domestic and global realities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks while chairing a discussion meeting at the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) auditorium. The event, organized by PIB and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, commemorated the 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam. The discussion titled "Ziaur Rahman's Independent Non-Aligned Diplomacy in the Present Context" featured Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the chief guest.
The minister analyzed Bangladesh's global economic and trade positioning, noting the country's reliance on China and India for imports and on America and Europe for ready-made garment exports. The Middle East serves as a primary source of remittances, while energy security is linked to Qatar and Russia's nuclear power projects. He highlighted the importance of adopting an independent policy to harmonize these diverse factors.
Swapon also credited Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with steering Bangladesh away from one-party rule and diplomatic stagnation pre-1975. Zia introduced a multi-party system, promoted a westward-oriented economy, and secured international acceptance, particularly among donor agencies and the Muslim world. His efforts to transition bilateral issues into a regional and multilateral framework included the establishment of SAARC with India's participation.
Emphasizing national identity's role in foreign policy, Swapon stated, "As Bangladeshis, our identity is ours alone. We do not require validation from Kolkata intellectuals or certification from imams in Pindi or Karachi." He recounted that Indian President Sanjiva Reddy recognized Zia as the "declarer of Bangladesh's War of Liberation," a recognition the Awami League and its intellectual allies still refuse to acknowledge, according to Swapon.
The minister underscored the need to boost remittance inflows, harness domestic energy resources, and secure hydropower imports from neighboring countries whilst defending national interests. The political strength to manage global forces, he noted, was fortified by the July popular uprising.
Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies President Major General A N M Muniruzzaman (retd) presented the keynote paper, praising Zia's foreign policy as a "golden era" of Bangladesh's diplomacy. Economist Dr Mushtaq Khan and other discussants, including defence journal editor Abu Rushd, echoed Zia's contributions to national unity and modernizing the armed forces. The program was moderated by PIB Director General Faruk Wasif, with notable attendees from various sectors.