Bangladesh government's first priority amid the escalating conflicts surrounding Iran is to safeguard interests of Bangladeshi nationals living in the Middle East, Dhaka says and stresses that war cannot bring a solution to the crisis.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman stated the country's position while speaking to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting at the foreign ministry in Dhaka on Monday, as there have been reports of casualties involving Bangladeshi expatriates.
Khalilur Rahman made it clear that recent official statements issued by the ministry had been carefully framed with the welfare of expatriate Bangladeshis in mind.
"Our position is very simple," Rahman said. "First and foremost, we must protect the interests of our people -- meaning our citizens who are in that region.
"And we do not believe that war or conflict can bring any solution. We want this problem to be resolved peacefully through discussion and diplomacy as quickly as possible."
The minister said Bangladesh had consistently prioritised the safety of its nationals abroad since the crisis began. Referring to a statement issued on 1 March, he said the government had "upheld the interests of our expatriates" in its official response.
"If any of our citizens is affected -- whether on this side of the barbed wire or the other -- we will stand beside them," he said. "Our greatest national interest is our people."
Tensions in the Gulf have raised fears for hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers across the region, many of whom are employed in construction, domestic work, shipping and services industries.
The Middle East remains one of Bangladesh's largest sources of remittance income, making the safety of its diaspora both a humanitarian and economic priority.
The government hopes there would be no further Bangladeshi casualties. "We hope that no more Bangladeshis will lose their lives or be injured in this conflict," the foreign minister of the new government told the press. "But if such a situation arises, we will fulfill all our responsibilities."
He mentions that some Bangladeshis who had been preparing to travel abroad for work were now stranded due to the disruption to air travel.
"Many people were ready to go overseas for employment, but they got stuck. Once flight operations return to normal, we will arrange for them to travel as quickly as possible."
According to the minister, he has been in direct contact with Gulf counterparts since the escalation began. The foreign ministers of Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as the minister of state for foreign affairs of Qatar, have telephoned him to discuss the security of Bangladeshi nationals.
"We have discussed the safety and security of our expatriates," Rahman said, adding that those governments had assured Dhaka that Bangladeshi citizens in their countries would be protected.
Bangladesh has so far avoided taking a confrontational diplomatic stance in the unfolding crisis, instead emphasising restraint and a return to negotiations. The foreign minister reiterated that position on Monday.
"War is not a solution -- Bangladesh does not believe that."
Dhaka's measured response reflects its broader foreign-policy doctrine of balancing relations among major powers while protecting its economic interests. With millions of Bangladeshis working overseas -- particularly in Gulf states --any prolonged instability in the region could have significant social and financial consequences at home.
For now, officials say, contingency plans are in place, and coordination with host governments is ongoing. But as the conflict deepens and airspace restrictions continue, uncertainty remains for many families awaiting news from loved ones abroad.
Bangladesh's message, Rahman makes it clear, is one of cautious diplomacy and human priority: whatever the geopolitical calculations at play, the safety of its citizens comes first.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
