The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a seminar here yesterday call for forging a national unity through democratic process to face the challenges of safeguarding independence, sovereignty and integrity of the country in the backdrop of a fast changing global geopolitical scenario.

People from all strata, including politicians and policy makers, should remain on guard against the conspirators working at home and abroad, they said.

They also said in the context of Bangladesh's important strategic geographical location between the rising China and emerging India, the country's foreign policy should be characterised by diversified friendly relations.

The national seminar styled 'Bangladesh: Geopolitics and National Security Imperatives' was organised by Center for National Regional Studies (CNRS) at CIRDAP auditorium here.

Former chief adviser of the caretaker government Justice Latifur Rahman spoke as the chief guest while former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Emajuddin Ahmed chaired the seminar.

Professor Mahbub Ullah of Department of Development Studies of Dhaka University presented the keynote paper while senior assistant editor of Defense Journal Major (retd) Ashrafuzzaman made a presentation on maritime boundary.

Vice chancellor of South East University Professor M Shamser Ali, president of Bangladesh Political Science Association Professor Ataur Rahman, former state minister Abul Hassan Chowdhury, chief editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and international affairs analyst Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, senior journalist Sadeq Khan, former editor of Amar Desh Amanullah Kabir and president of Jatiya Press Club Shawkat Mahmud spoke as the designated discussants.

CNRS Executive President M Sajjad Hossain gave the welcome speech.

Latifur Rahman stressed the need for consensus on all nationally important issues to fight the evil forces in an effective and stronger way.

We must establish good governance and strengthen democracy to uplift the country's economy he said, adding, we need to establish institution for undertaking strategic plan and formulating national policies. He said there should be mutual respect among the South Asian countries to build fruitful relationship within the region to ensure the welfare of the mass people.

Prof. Emajuddin said Bangladesh should adopt multi-lateral approach in its foreign policy without depending on bilateral relations to achieve a dignified status in the world.

"We ought to prepare a multi-lateral framework in our geo- politics," Prof. Emajuddin said, adding, "if India wants transit or corridor, there is no point to oppose, the facilities could be given under a multilateral framework ensuring the interest Bangladesh and other regional countries like China, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan."

Stressing the need for a friendly relationship between Bangladesh and India, Dr Shamsher Ali suggested developing a bridge between the two peoples through holding Indo-Bangladesh conference to discuss matters related to common issues and disputes.

Describing Bangladesh as one of the most non-communal countries in the world, he said, a vested quarter always try to project the country as a fundamentalist one in the international arena.

He said Bangladesh could be one of the strong countries in the arena of global geo-politics by developing its science and technology sector through establishing an effective parliament rather confronting with each other.

Dr Ataur Rahman said the country needs to boost its economy as well as ensure food and energy security to play a significant role in geo-politics.

Abul Hassan Chowdhury said the political parties should project their own plan before the national elections that how they would face the challenges of country's geo-politics in future.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury said South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should be strengthened further for the interest of South Asia and also for the smaller nations.

Sadeq Khan said Bangladesh has tremendous potentialities to be a significant power in the region as it got cheap labour force, model of moderate Islamic state and strategic position between Indo-US and China-Russia relationship.

Amanullah Kabir said the threat to country's security and sovereignty could not be faced unless the political leaders maintain integrity and unity among themselves changing their stereotype mindsets.

Professor Mahbub Ullah said national unity could be achieved only through a democratic process, but unfortunately the complexities in country's politics are making the prospect of national unity bleaker.

Shawkat Mahmud said the country should formulate its policies independently and the media need to turn itself as the national mass media to help establish enlightened nationalism.