ASEAN\\\'s \\\"Dhaka committee\\\"

The ten-nation ASEAN has formally launched a "Dhaka Committee", heralding a new era in its relationship with Bangladesh. Dhaka sees it as a rare move by the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) because such committees are usually formed in countries that are its dialogue partners. The Committee formally started its journey on Wednesday at a reception joined by ministers, politicians, diplomats, businessmen and officials of the foreign ministry. Malaysian High Commissioner Norlin Othman has been made the Chair of the “Dhaka Committee”. All ASEAN countries, except Cambodia and Laos, have missions in Dhaka. Though Bangladesh is not yet a dialogue partner of the ASEAN, its secretariat has already approved the “Dhaka Committee”. Foreign ministry officials in Dhaka feel this is probably a prelude to making Bangladesh a dialogue partner of the ASEAN, which is one of Asia’s economic powerhouse, according to bdnews24.com.