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DHAKA, Dec 20, 2022 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen today put emphasis on taking more research in the field of strategic studies as like Great Powers do while attempts are being made to polarize the Indo-Pacific region.
 
"We have to remember that the Great Powers enjoy a strong research and think-tanks ... strategic research, backed by facts and insights, can help governments plan and implement its survival and growth strategies," he said.
 
The foreign minister was speaking as the chief guest at the BIISS Research Colloquium organized by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium in the capital.
 
The foreign minister said that research on strategic studies assists in understanding hidden opportunities from multiple perspectives, such as geopolitical situations, a nation's inclination, and its political alignment strategies.
 
Momen said there is a growing need for research in strategic studies involving changing environment especially in this time amid increasingly competitive and complex global situation.
 
"Our geopolitical location as a basin country of the Bay of Bengal is a determining fact influencing our domestic and international affairs," he said.
 
Momen said newer groups and blocks are coming up in the Indo-Pacific area and increasing climatic devastations and its impact on Bangladesh and the region while there is fear of radicalism and security risks.
 
In order to face the newly emerged global challenge, the foreign minister said the present Bangladesh government has played an initiating and well planned role by its visible presence in the international main stream to strengthen the regional and sub regional co-operation.
 
The present government has created an exemplary role at implementing a successful and realistic application of humanitarian diplomacy for Rohingya repatriation.

He said the government has strengthened its bilateral relations with its neighbors and other states by successful maneuvering of its foreign policy and diplomacy to uplift the image of Bangladesh as a peaceful, progressive and responsible state.
 
Momen said Bangladesh has been able to graduate to a developing country with unprecedented developmental activities that are taken place during the era of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
 
"This (graduation) was possible because of the successful diplomacy of Bangladesh at the United Nations," he added.
 
BIISS Chairman Ambassador Kazi Imtiaz Hossain and its Director General Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin also spoke.
 
The event was divided into three sessions. In each session, three speakers presented their recent research that concerns Bangladesh's national interest.

The first session was on Bangladesh's regional and global outreach which was chaired by BIISS Chairman.

Session two was on security and strategic affairs chaired by former Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh, General (retd) Md Abdul Mubeen.

The third session highlighted "Diplomacy and Negotiations" which was chaired by Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed.

In their discussions and presentations, the speakers focused on the critical issues of national interest that involve regional and international affairs security, and developmental aspects.