Engage in Host Country Politics Instead of Bangladeshi Politics: NRB Foreign Advisor

He talks about how divisions under political banners are damaging Bangladesh’s image abroad

UNB

January 11, 2025 at 19:00

Last modified: January 11, 2025, 19:05

Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain speaks at an event in the capital on January 11, 2025. Photo: UNB

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Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain speaks at an event in the capital on January 11, 2025. Photo: UNB

Noting the active opposition or hostility of some expatriates towards each other in the name of political connections abroad, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain encouraged Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) to engage in the internal politics of the host country abroad to engage in the internal politics of Bangladesh.

Speaking at the NRB conference today (January 11), he said this changed approach will really help improve Bangladesh’s image and brand abroad by providing greater influence like Indian expatriates who have an advantage by being more involved in the domestic politics of host countries through important positions .

“We have to get out of this practice,” Hossain said, referring to what has been seen in recent decades abroad under the banner of political parties such as Bangladesh Awami League, BNP, Jamaat and Jatiya Party, to some extent, not just now or during the previous regime.

The Center for Non-Residents of Bangladesh (CNRB) hosted a conference titled ‘Branding Bangladesh: NRB and UN Peacekeepers Leading the Way’ as part of the 2025 Global Conference Series and was chaired by CNRB Chairman MS Shekil Chowdhury.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, among others, spoke at the event.

The foreign advisor also referred to the branches of Bangladesh’s main political parties abroad, which gather in large numbers whenever a Bangladeshi goes to a particular country, and asked whether similar phenomena could be observed in any other country in the world.

Hossain said some Bangladeshi expatriates simply see a partisan or individual response, rather than an issue-focused response. “It is very damaging to us in terms of our image and brand abroad,” he said, urging everyone to look at India and how it deals with the issue.

“We will benefit if we engage in (host countries) domestic politics. This is our path if we want to have influence on a global scale,” he said.

Sharing his experience while serving as Bangladesh’s ambassador to South Africa, Hossain said that fortunately, he saw how BNP and Awami League supporters were welcomed together whenever any Bangladeshi guest visited the country.

“It was completely unique,” ​​he said, adding that he did not see such unity of Bangladesh in Western countries, which are supposed to be stronger in democratic practice.

Hossain said NRBs hold important positions in host countries; will create a strong brand image of Bangladesh across the globe.

Referring to the example of the Indian diaspora, he said that Indians have achieved significant influence on a global scale, securing key positions in governments and political bodies of various countries, especially Western ones.

Touhid said Bangladesh’s political parties are among the largest in the world and have wide branches in many countries.

“Have you seen people from any other country gathering at airports in foreign countries to chant slogans against anyone?” he asked a question.

“Why do Indians get various benefits abroad and we don’t? Because we are less involved in local politics,” he added.

The foreign advisor urged the NRB to counter false propaganda against Bangladesh internationally, especially in the Indian media, especially narratives suggesting a war-like situation or violence against minorities in the country.

“There have been some incidents, but they have not targeted minorities based on their religious identity,” he said. “For example, if ten houses were attacked, eight of them belonged to Muslims.”

He urged expatriates to actively fight misinformation and misinformation about Bangladesh.

Hossain also stressed the importance of reducing migration costs and improving the skills of Bangladeshi workers, including language skills. “We can double the volume of remittances if we improve the skills of our workforce.”

He assured that the caretaker government is committed to resolving issues at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), including harassment of passengers. “We are determined to bring to justice those responsible for such harassment.”

Hossain praised the UN peacekeepers from Bangladesh for their significant contribution in improving the country’s image in the world.

“We need to strengthen our positive image. Our peacekeepers have built a strong image for us in Africa. These are positive images. On the other hand, when we cross the Mediterranean Sea (illegal migration), our image is tarnished,” he said. .

Speaker of London’s Tower Hamlets Advocate Saif Uddin Khaled said that the NRB in the United Kingdom (UK) always stands with the people of Bangladesh. “We owe a blood debt to Bangladesh. When harm happens in Bangladesh, we shout in London. When you get hurt, we feel pain. Your sadness touches our hearts.”

Bankers Association president Abdul Hai Sarkar expressed concern over frequent disputes and conflicts involving expatriates abroad, calling it an unfortunate situation that needs to be addressed.

He also stressed the importance of improving the skills of Bangladeshi workers.

Former UN Peacekeeping Force Commander Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar highlighted the key role of the army in boosting Bangladesh’s global image, attributing it to discipline and a clean record.