Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Fahmida Khatun on Sunday provided an idea regarding the current picture of Bangladesh’s economy by stressing on the challenges at first. She divided the obstacles that are currently being faced by the country’s economy into two types- short term or immediate term problems and medium or structural problems. Dr Fahmida particularly mentioned the high inflation rate and low rate of foreign exchanges. Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) organized the policy circle titled “Bangladesh: The Economy Under Stress” in Dhaka. The discussion focused on examining the present condition of Bangladesh’s economy and other associated factors. Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, East West University Parvez Karim Abbasi also spoke at the event. Major General ANM Muniruzzaman (Retd), President of BIPSS, moderated the event. Foreign exchange reserve is declining in the country. In a question from the moderator if the declining foreign reserve might have an impact on the food security, Dr Fahmida said, saying that a decline in foreign exchange reserve will not only affect the food security but it will also effect the sustainability of the energy security. Biman Dreamliner returns to Dhaka due to cockpit windshield crack She pointed out that due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the supply chain has been disrupted globally and the condition of Bangladesh’s economy is no exception as it is integrated with global economy. "Bangladesh has experienced and is still experiencing high inflation,” she said. Dr Fahmida also highlighted that Bangladesh’s reliance on imports is exacerbating the current economic challenges. She mentioned that in the last year the country has witnessed very little FDI which is not sufficient. She cited that according to a research study conducted by CPD, 67% people surveyed in the private sector felt that corruption is the number one hindrance to doing good business in Bangladesh. She even conveyed a sense of concern as both exports and flow of remittance in the country have been decreasing. Again, she voiced apprehension about how the dominance of businessmen is being prevalent in the politics of the country and how good politics has ended overtime due to this. Parvez Karim Abbasi focused on the issue of rising income inequality among the citizens of Bangladesh. He brought up the point that the poverty rate affects 1 out of every 7 individuals of the country. This clearly shows a great disparity in terms of income level and wealth concentration. Gas supply to improve in Dhaka, adjacent areas in a day or two : Nasrul He also mentioned that the rising level of unemployment among youth is constraining the possibilities of upgrading the current economic condition of the country as substantial portion of the labor force of Bangladesh is made up of youth. “Roughly 36% of our labor force comprises people between 18 to 30 years of age”, he said. Parvez also underscored the significance of various other factors such as rising public debt, non-performing loans, systematic weaknesses in the banking sector etc. which are contributing to the decline of economic growth of the country. In his opinion, focus should be on the RMG sector and increasing the flow of remittance as these two important sectors are in threatening condition. The interactive session covered some critical assumptions and exchange of conversations among the honorable guests and the panelists including redefining poverty, ways to solve the economic stress, inflation and mega-projects. Questions were raised about banking sector governance and how important it is to bring back discipline in this sector. Concerns were also raised about the high volume of non-performing loans. Bangladesh now has over 12.17 crore voters: EC's latest draft update The panelists felt that this should be curbed with proper regulatory mechanisms and controlled by the central bank. They also felt that one of the reasons for a lower flow of remittances is the fluctuations in the rate of foreign currency. Muniruzzaman wrapped up the session by articulating that the current economic challenges can be overcome by ensuring accountability, transparency and establishing democratic governance. Ambassadors and Diplomats based in Dhaka, former Bangladeshi Ambassadors, representatives from international and business organizations, academicians and journalists attended the event.

Bangladesh and other Indo-Pacific countries need a transnational approach as they are extremely vulnerable to growing non-traditional security threats in the region, the experts said Monday. They were speaking at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS)-Dhaka Tribune discussion "Non-traditional Security Threats in the Indo-Pacific Region" in Dhaka Sunday. BIPSS President Major General ANM Muniruzzaman (retired) said many countries in the region do not have a layout of a comprehensive security strategy. "So, most of the issues are addressed on an ad-hoc basis." Air Vice Marshal Mahmud Hussain (retired) said the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework can be useful and critical in advancing partnership in areas of non-traditional security concerns. Read: Dhaka to lodge protest against Myanmar shelling mortars into Bangladesh: FS Small regional states are the most vulnerable in tackling non-traditional security issues when two big powers compete for dominance, Marufa Akter, assistant professor at the Independent University, Bangladesh, said. Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss in the Indo-Pacific should remain a top priority for Bangladesh and other countries, she noted. Zafar Sobhan, editor of Dhaka Tribune, also spoke.

Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) and Cosmos Foundation Bangladesh have signed a MoU to jointly host a series of roundtable discussions on issues of national, regional and international interests. President of BIPSS Major General ANM Muniruzzman (retd) and Founder of Cosmos Group Enayetullah Khan recently signed the cooperation agreement representing their respective side. The BIPSS-Cosmos deal will focus on cooperation, the mutual exchange of information, the improvement of events, seminars, research and academic programmes. Also read: 'BRAVEHEART’: Gallery Cosmos pays rich artistic tribute to Bangabandhu BIPSS is a non-party, non-profit organization and independent think tank devoted to studying peace and security issues related to South and Southeast Asia. Cosmos Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group that provides strategic insights and policy solutions for Bangladesh’s journey toward a better future. Also read: Bangladesh must ensure strategic balance amid new tensions: BIPSS president

The emergence of COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis will shape the international order in a profound way, Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) President Maj Gen (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman has said. “We should believe in permanent interests, not permanent friends,” he said, noting that countries like Bangladesh, which are integrated within the International system, must minutely analyse the ongoing global trends and solidify its own position to identify the challenges it is going to face, and aptly utilize the opportunities that lie ahead.  While delivering his remarks at recently held BIPSS-Dhaka Tribune Roundtable titled, ‘The Emerging World Order: How will Bangladesh Navigate?,' Muniruzzaman also identified how the current state of global multipolarity was soon faced with two very major turning points - the emergence of COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis. He said the international system is already in a flux and the two events have further injected an incredible amount of fluidity within the international system. Highlighting the key facets and variables concerning global trends, the analyst said the post-cold war era, which initially commenced through the concept of unipolarity, did quickly turn into multipolarity with the emergence of actors like China. Former Foreign Secretary Md. Touhid Hossain emphasized on the major dimension in terms of economic and global trends. READ: Climate change in Bangladesh to ‘impact int’l security’: Muniruzzaman He also highlighted the key security trends as well and eloquently dissected the regional and global political dynamics, and the underlying pragmatism and interest driven approach behind it. The former foreign secretary highlighted the significance of trade, military and cooperation and how much sway these variables hold over the global order. He later moved on to the case of Bangladesh, and it incessantly getting into a limbo and finding it harder to ensure the strategic neutrality that it has maintained throughout, with the inclusion of already existing challenges like the Rohingya crisis. Touhid Hossain suggested that Bangladesh ought to thread this multipolar world order with the utmost caution, and thus should look for “newer friends”, while maintaining firm and vibrant relations with the old one. He suggested that we also ought to bolster our technological structure and ensure a more articulated approach to ensure a more solidified position in the global world order. Pondering upon the broader geo-political and strategic trends, Dr. ASM Ali Ashraf, Professor, at the department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, illustrated the key thematic concepts towards understanding the overarching dynamics of the global world order, spanning from a theoretical understanding, to historical transformation through various watershed events (fall of Soviet Union, 9/11) and realities of the contemporary global system. He urged for the necessity for sensitization within the global system and highlighted the key national interest that Bangladesh ought to focus on and the much-needed alterations in order to follow through, a crucial one being the necessity to ensure the diversification of trade, modernization of capabilities of the military and the law enforcement authorities and the instillation of a stronger posturing as long as Bangladesh in concerned. Participants included foreign diplomats, security sector personnel, scholars and journalists, among others. Muniruzzaman ended on an intriguing note, emphasizing on the necessity of a more realistic and pragmatic approach. He emphasized upon the necessity to develop Bangladesh’s own capability and ensure the strengthening of its institutions. “We should believe in permanent interests, not permanent friends.” The world order, almost dictated and instigated by the wide number of factors and variables, is always evolving, leaving the realities of yesteryears in the past, and introducing newer dynamics, regimes and paradigms, says BIPSS. There are always newer trends emerging on the horizon, following the inclusion of the slightest of alterations in the spheres of politics, economy and strategy, it said. The roundtable was attended by diplomats, scholars, security experts and youth representatives from various disciplines.

The world order, almost dictated and instigated by a wide range of factors and variables, is always evolving, leaving the realities of yesteryears in history and introducing newer dynamics, regimes and paradigms, speakers said at a discussion. They said there are always newer trends emerging on the horizon, following the inclusions of the slightest of alterations in the spheres of politics, economy and strategy. President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Major General (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman and Editor of Dhaka Tribune Zafar Sobhan harboured and showcased similar sentiments in their opening remarks at the BIPSS-Dhaka Tribune roundtable titled, “Global Trends 2022” held at a city hotel on Sunday. The roundtable was attended by a number of diplomats, scholars, security experts, and youth representatives from various disciplines. Also read: Misinformation severe deterrence to progress: BIPSS President BIPSS President Muniruzzaman highlighted the key facets and variables concerning global trends, the plausible economic shocks and the “consequences of consequences”. “We live in an interconnected world. A scenario anywhere is a scenario everywhere,” he said while also mentioning that trade, economy, security and strategy are just a few issues that we have to tackle among many. Muniruzzaman indicated that they are in the process of “global urbanisation” and talked about the emergence of megacities, especially in South Asia, and the overarching influence of this towards the global trends. He discussed the global surge in populism, introduction of a data driven world, emergence of “disruptive technologies.” Muniruzzaman elaborated that this year all need to revisit, rework and reinvigorate their relationship with the earth to overcome major pertinent security threats such as food, water and energy insecurities. He said they ought to comprehend events that will shape the future and never rule out “Black Swan” incidents, like the possibilities of incidents like solar geomagnetic events that could potentially disrupt, or even destroy communications and other technology upon which we have become so dependent.  One of the keynote speakers and CPD Distinguished Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya emphasised the major dimension in terms of economic and global trends, pandemic and vaccinations. He also highlighted the existing disparity and the possibility that the inequity in terms of vaccinations might soldier on. The economist identified the disruptiveness of the year 2020, and although things started to look up in the year 2021, that is slowly “withering away” with the emerging economic uncertainties. He identified upcoming challenges for Bangladesh in the economic spectrum and the absolute need to remain vigilant to cope with these uncertainties. Delving into the trends associated with technology and security, second keynote speaker Shafqat Munir, Research Fellow at BIPSS, highlighted the various potential flashpoints, introduction of newer domains of warfare, hybrid warfare and the unabated arms race. The potential flashpoints that came to the forefront included Ukraine and European security, showcasing the absolute tension existent between Ukraine and Russia. The Taiwan Strait also came on the front burner again with strong advocacy within Taiwan for independence, while escalating tensions with China. Tensions also evidently escalated between China and India too, which has direct implications for Bangladesh. Shafqat Munir also highlighted the other existing trends such as the unabated arms race slowly looming around the corner, the increased levels of contestation, militarization and competing strategies in the maritime domain. He discussed the recurring frequency of hybrid wars and how it’ll be a “Game Changer” and highlighted the technological trends, emphasizing upon the role of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Augmented reality and how this whole technological trend will completely reshape our perception of reality. He put forth the recommendation that Bangladesh ought to integrate Artificial Intelligence and Robotics into our daily lives to “Stay Ahead of the Curve.” Also read: UN roundtable on climate: PM places 5-point suggestion to protect planet Pondering upon the broader geo-political and strategic trends, the third keynote speaker, Dr. Lailufar Yasmin, Professor, at the department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, started with the emphasis of economics, the interconnected world that we live in, and the ‘Butterfly Effect’ in action, by exemplifying the outbreak of Covid-19 in Wuhan and it eventually caused political, social and economic challenges all over the world. Highlighting environmental issues, she pointed to the dangers of climate change and change in weather patterns with the onset of extreme winters and extreme summers. She also pointed out Ukraine, the Korean peninsula, China and Taiwan and their geo-political realities, the growing significance of the Bay of Bengal with mechanisms like AUKUS emerging on the scene. She also highlighted the conflicts and destabilizations, notably the recent developments in Burkina Faso. On the social front, there was a growing aging population in western countries and the potential for Bangladesh to send semi-skilled labour in order to meet the consequent demand there, rather than the practice of sending unskilled labour.  Lailufar Yasmin also pointed to mental health issues during the pandemic, including the stress of joblessness and so on. Thanking everyone, Zafar Sobhan ended on a rather ambivalent note, highlighting the change in terms of dynamic and paradigms and saying that “We can’t talk of 2022 in isolation. It is the start of a new world. The pandemic has put the world in a deep freeze from which we are now emerging.”

The participation of women in journalism is still very low for various socioeconomic drawbacks, speakers said at a dialogue.  They said the presence of women in journalism, especially in leadership roles in Bangladesh, is very negligible with the lack of ‘role model’ and ‘heroes’ which tends to have an adverse impact on women’s participation in the field of journalism.  Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) recently organised their latest BIPSS Policy Café “Coffee@BIPSS” on "Women in Journalism: Prospects & Challenges" at a city hotel.  BIPSS President Major General ANM Muniruzzaman moderated the event, said a media release on Thursday. Also read: Misinformation severe deterrence to progress: BIPSS President Ayesha Kabir, Consulting Editor of Prothom Alo, English, was the guest speaker at the policy dialogue attended by diplomats, editors, scholars, defence personnel, academics and other dignitaries and relevant participants. The speakers highlighted the huge percentage of women within the overall population and thus they have a more than crucial role in terms of their participation towards shaping public life and national perception towards the media.  They said the surge of Covid-19 has only exacerbated the underlying complexities regarding the whole situation. They also highlighted the worrying lack of safety that a woman has to encounter while undertaking her journalistic duties and responsibilities.  The speakers focused on the role of women in journalism towards ensuring a gender sensitive national agenda, while showcasing the components that are significant towards ensuring the sensitization.  They also suggested various recommendations towards a course of actions conducive towards ensuring greater acceptance and inclusion of the role of women in journalism for the wider society, which is imperative in the age of globalisation and connectivity.  Also read: Media orientation prog on humanitarian journalism held in Cox’s Bazar Another key aspect that came to the forefront is how women bring fresh perspectives, challenges essential towards formulating a more pragmatic scenario in journalism. During the interactive discussion between the guest speaker and the audience, many key aspects concerning the issue came into the spotlight, especially an increase in terms of awareness over the role of women’s participation in journalism. 

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), reminiscent of the Silk Road, is a long-term infrastructural project that would stretch from the heart of China, all the way to Europe which will help Asia cope with infrastructure financing gaps. This was echoed by President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Major General ANM Muniruzzaman and Editor of Dhaka Tribune Zafar Sobhan in their remarks at the BIPSS-Dhaka Tribune Roundtable titled, 'Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Connecting the World', which was held at the Westin. The BRI project of China will create partnership linkages among the sub-regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. BRI presents an array of opportunities for Bangladesh, they said. The roundtable was attended by diplomats, scholars, security experts, and youth representatives from various disciplines. Also read: BRI Is Open, Inclusive and Beneficial to All BIPSS President Muniruzzaman highlighted the key facets and variables concerning BRI, the underlying opportunities and challenges, and what it means for Bangladesh to maintain a strategic balance being a member of the grand infrastructural initiative. He said BRI is happening at a time when significant changes are taking place in the international system, according to a media release issued on Monday. Zafar Sobhan, editor of The Dhaka Tribune, in his welcome remarks said it is important to take a deeper look at BRI projects, including how they may affect Bangladesh. Muniruzzaman further discussed how Bangladesh has a significant geostrategic role in BRI. “We expect that BRI projects shouldn’t cause any harm to the environment,” he added. While discussing the project of the century, Muniruzzaman focused on how BRI encompasses several continents in a network of roads and sea-routes. Also read: BRI wins applause for driving growth among emerging markets The first keynote speaker, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), began her remarks with an emphasis on the economic and trade benefits of BRI, and its implications for Bangladesh. During her speech, she also highlighted the infrastructural gap currently existing in Bangladesh and BRI will be a key supplement to fulfilling this gap. Fahmida Khatun said it is imperative for Bangladesh to follow a cautious approach regarding Chinese investments. Highlighting the role of BRI member countries, second keynote speaker Parvez Karim Abbasi, Assistant Professor of the Department of Economics at East West University, began his deliberations by talking about the geo-economic implications of BRI for the region. He also highlighted the fact how the whole project of BRI is actually an integral part of the Chinese socioeconomic identity. Abbasi added, “BRI is a concrete manifestation of China’s emergence as an economic powerhouse and it will help expand connectivity transcending the borders between nations.” He said the fate of China is intrinsically linked to BRI. "Due to the pandemic, there’ve been major economic implications for the world. The small states need to take each step with precision and clarity. The role of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has to be studied with in-depth details." Summarizing the discussion, Muniruzzaman said although there will be major implications for the signatory countries, they need to utilise the funds channeled through BRI for the prosperity of our nation. An interactive session with the audience was followed who further enriched the discussion. The participants included foreign diplomats, security sector personnel, scholars and journalists.

The situation in Afghanistan remains fluid and Bangladesh should exercise “extreme caution” especially in regard to countering violent extremism, speakers have said at a discussion With 100 days of the Taliban in power, Afghanistan seems to be on the brink of yet another major humanitarian crisis having implications on regional countries, they said, adding that the ripple effect of the Taliban takeover will be felt all across the region, including Bangladesh. The Taliban took over Afghanistan in mid-August sparked tensions regarding the possible implications regional nations will face, they observed. Read: US spl envoy discusses Afghanistan with top Indian officials The aforementioned sentiments were echoed by Major General ANM Muniruzzaman, President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) and Zafar Sobhan, Editor of Dhaka Tribune in their opening remarks at the BIPS-Dhaka Tribune Roundtable titled, 'Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan: Regional and International Implications.' The discussion, held in a city hotel on Tuesday, was attended by ambassadors, scholars, security experts, and youth representatives from various disciplines. Muniruzzaman  emphasized the dire situation in Kabul with the ongoing economic meltdown. He said, “The coming winter months are going to be the toughest with a high chance of mass starvation, among other complications.” Zafar Sohban said it had been 100 days since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan, and it was important to take a deeper look at the impact of this situation, including how it may affect Bangladesh. Muniruzzaman discussed how a failed Afghanistan state will bear consequences not just for the region but international security as well. “Therefore, an economically stable Kabul is in the best interest of the region,” he added. When discussing the effect of the takeover for Bangladesh, Muniruzzaman discussed how the Afghan Taliban’s influence is very prominent in the violent extremism in Bangladesh and that the new takeover has inspired a new wave of people in the country, especially the youth. The first keynote speaker, Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian (retd), former chairman of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), laid emphasis on impact on violent extremism and its possible spillovers for the region.

The smaller nations like Bangladesh should avoid partisan and military engagements with the big powers in the region to uphold strategic autonomy, a webinar was told on Wednesday. The smaller independent nations in the region such as Bangladesh need to avoid any kind of partisan and military entanglements to ensure strategic autonomy and avoid escalation into a second cold war, said President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) Maj. Gen. (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman. He, however, said the nature of competition between the Quad and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is currently more economical than militaristic. Muniruzzaman said the strategic tension between the USA and China might have an adverse effect on the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) President Maj Gen (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman has sought a more proactive role from India in resolving the Rohingya crisis. “We need a more proactive role from India in solving the Rohingya crisis,” he said while speaking at a symposium titled ‘Bangladesh-India Relations: Prognosis for the Future’ which premiered on Facebook on Thursday night. Renowned scholar-diplomat and adviser on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury chaired the event hosted by the Cosmos Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group.  Chairman of the Cosmos Foundation Enayetullah Khan delivered the opening remarks at the event. In reply, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, who delivered the keynote speech, said they fully support the idea of “safe, sustainable and expedited” return of the displaced people back to Myanmar. “I can’t see how it can be doubted in any way.” Also read: Doraiswami keen to push Covaxin as Covishield exports disrupted   He said the presence of Rohingyas is not in Bangladesh’s interest, not in the region's interest, and certainly it is not in India’s interest. “The point is that they need to go back.” However, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty said India, which shares a border with Bangladesh and Myanmar, cannot fully support Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue due to its internal problem and national interests.  “On Myanmar, my point is that India’s ambivalence should be understood in the context of India’s national inserts. We can’t swing into absolute support and favour for Bangladesh,” he said. Pinak said he will not get into details but the people who know will understand the situation. “We’ve an insurgency problem in the northeast and we’ve our own problems and difficulties in dealing with Myanmarees on the Rohingya issue,” he said.   Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the repatriation deal on November 23, 2017. On January 16, 2018, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on ‘Physical Arrangement’, which was supposed to facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland. Bangladesh says the Rohingyas do not trust their government, and Bangladesh gave a number of proposals to build trust among them. Bangladesh is trying in multiple ways -- bilaterally, multilaterally, tri-laterally and through the judicial system -- to find a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis. Bangladesh proposed deployment of nonmilitary civilian observers from Myanmar’s friendly countries -- Japan, China, Russia, India and Asean countries. During her meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 27, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested India, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, to play a “strong role” in the early repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas back to Myanmar.  The two leaders reiterated the importance of safe, speedy and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their homeland for the greater security of the region. Also read: Cosmos Dialogue on Dhaka-Washington ties premieres Saturday on Facebook Modi expressed appreciation at the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to the 1.1 million forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar. Border Killing On border killing, Doraiswami said he repeatedly said this is a complex phenomenon that requires a far greater effort, including by district governance on both sides and by border guards on both sides. He said people do need to recognise that a fair number of the people who get killed on the border, most unfortunately, are also Indian people on the Indian side of the border. Former High Commissioner Pinak said border killing is an issue of joint responsibility. “Alleging and pointing fingers at India all the time don’t help resolve the problem and don’t help create the public perception in India.” He said the main reason behind the border killing is that a huge smuggling network and a huge mafia operating on both sides of the borders which should be addressed jointly. Muniruzzaman said border killing is one of the major irritants in the bilateral relations between the two close neighbours. “It’s something which is not accepted by the people of Bangladesh.” Water Sharing Muniruzzaman said the Teesta water-sharing is a problem that needs to be addressed as it has been lying without a solution for too long. “It’s not only Teesta water sharing, we need agreements and water sharing mechanisms of all other 53 common rivers with India,” he said. On March 27, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s long-pending request for concluding the interim agreement on the sharing of the waters of the Teesta River for the fair share of the Teesta water to alleviate the sufferings of millions. It is necessary that Bangladesh receives its fair share of the Teesta water, the draft agreement of which has already been agreed upon by both governments in January 2011 to alleviate the sufferings and save the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta river basin, she underscored. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts to conclude this agreement in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Muniruzzaman said Bangladesh and India have been passing through the honeymoon period of bilateral relationship as it is now at its peak. “But all the relationships need to be nurtured, and that’s a way we should follow. As we look at the future which is extremely difficult to predict, we’ll have to pave a way for a smooth relationship in the future. So, it’s necessary to analyse the current irritants in the relationship that can become obstacles as we move towards the future for bilateral relations,” he said. Muniruzzaman said the vaccine nationalism that has been seen in India is a major irritant to the people of Bangladesh and India should resolve the problem over ensuring the vaccines to Bangladesh since the country paid money for it in advance. “That’s an issue that needs to be addressed.” Also read: Cosmos Dialogue on Bangladesh's relations with Nordic countries begins in city The security expert also thinks there are India’s some internal political issues like Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens that can have an implication on the bilateral ties and these issues need to be addressed. He said the relationship has to be built with the people of the two countries in a more holistic and comprehensive way. Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tariq A Karim said Bangladesh and India can never dream of having an adverse or a hostile relationship with each other due to their geographical positions.