Despite the great power rivalry, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman navigated Bangladesh's international relations in a direction that still works as a guiding principle for the country, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said Saturday.

The primary goal of Bangabandhu's foreign policy was to be in the big league of friendly countries, attain recognition for the newly independent country and ensure membership of international organisations, he said. 

The foreign minister was addressing the webinar "Bangabandhu and Bangladesh: An Epic Nation's Emergence and Emancipation" as the chief guest. 

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the webinar.

State Minister for Planning Dr Samsul Alam was the special guest at the event.

BIISS Chairman Ambassador M Fazlul Karim chaired the webinar and Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari, director-general of BIISS, delivered the welcome remarks. 

Two papers were presented at the webinar. A paper was presented by Dr Syed Anwar Husain, Bangabandhu chair professor at the Bangladesh University of Professionals. Dr Atiur Rahman, Bangabandhu chair professor at the University of Dhaka, presented another paper. 

Dr Momen launched a book published by BIISS on Bangabandhu titled "Bangabandhu and Bangladesh: An Epic of a Nation’s Emergence and Emancipation."

This book is the compilation of revised and edited versions of the papers presented at BISS seminars and webinars throughout the year. 

Ambassador Fazlul Karim said Bangabandhu's belief in emancipation and social justice for the downtrodden people is an example for generations to come. "Very few people in history can be credited with accomplishing what Bangabandhu has accomplished. He marked a new country on the world map, and established his life-long dream of independent Bangladesh."

Emdad Ul Bari noted that the saga of Bangladesh is an inevitable part of the story of a man named Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who loved his people, who sacrificed his life for a country, the country he named "Bangladesh."

"Bangabandhu might have disappeared physically but his sacrifice for this nation and aspirations towards a Golden Bengal will live forever and inspire our generations who are working relentlessly and collectively to realise the dream of Golden Bengal, defying all odds," he said.

Dr Samsul Alam said Bangabandhu not only acted for the nation's emergence and emancipation but also provided post-emergence invaluable guidelines for its people to materialise his long-cherished dream of building a Sonar Bangla. 

"In all aspects or fields of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu has left his marks. His contributions before and after the independence of Bangladesh, all remain equally noble and important," he said.

"Typical of his visionary leadership, Bangabandhu established more institutions aimed at progress for Bangladesh, thus preparing the basis for a developed future for his country's people," Dr Samsul added.