Speakers at a seminar organized by The Bangladesh Dialogue have expressed concerns that implementing a humanitarian corridor under the interim government could potentially push Bangladesh into a war-like situation. The seminar, TBD Perspective VI: On the Diplomatic Front – South Asia and Beyond, was held on Wednesday (28 May) at the Krishibid Institute, Dhaka.
Experts highlighted that a humanitarian corridor is closely tied to military involvement and should be a national decision made by a directly elected parliament. They cautioned that opening such a corridor risks dragging Bangladesh into military conflict, especially regarding the Rohingya crisis. While humanitarian aid can be provided, they argued that risking national security to assist another country is unacceptable.
M. Humayun Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute and former Ambassador, said that for the past 15 years, Bangladesh has followed an “India-centric” foreign policy focused on economic growth but with compromises in security and national identity. He stressed that the Rohingya crisis cannot be resolved by Bangladesh alone, as its roots lie in Myanmar’s internal political dynamics. Any long-term solution would require cooperation from Myanmar, China, India, and other powers.
Syemum Parvez, Executive Editor of The Road to Democracy, questioned whether previous diplomatic policies truly served Bangladesh’s interests. He warned that implementing a humanitarian corridor without a political mandate would harm national security and urged a swift transition to an elected government capable of making legitimate diplomatic decisions.
Independent journalist and educator Asif Bin Ali criticized foreign interference in Bangladesh’s internal politics and the lack of a clear, long-term national policy.
Speakers collectively emphasized that Bangladesh must strengthen its diplomacy, safeguard sovereignty, and ensure that no foreign state can exploit its territory or political situation. Any hasty humanitarian corridor decision, they concluded, risks destabilizing the country and exposing it to external conflict.
