'Bangladesh Before All' central to foreign policy, national security

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has placed foreign policy, national security and defence reform at the heart of its election manifesto, declaring that its guiding principle will be 'Bangladesh Before All'.
Unveiling the vision Friday, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said the party believes in friendly relations with all countries, but on the basis of equality and self-esteem - summed up in the slogan "Friend yes, master no".
According to the manifesto, Bangladesh will not interfere in the internal affairs of other states and will not allow any foreign interference in its own matters.
The party pledges to take a firm stance against border killings, push-ins and smuggling, while working diplomatically to resolve longstanding disputes over shared rivers such as the Teesta and the Padma.
A major foreign-policy priority, BNP says, will be the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
Tarique Rahman notes that the Rohingya issue was settled twice - in 1978 and 1992 - during previous BNP governments, expressing confidence that sustained international engagement could again deliver results.
On defence, the manifesto stresses that only a strong, professional and politics-free armed force can ensure national security.
BNP promises to modernise the Army, Navy and Air Force and develop them into a quick, self-contained "four-dimensional" force capable of ensuring credible deterrence against any external aggression.
The party has also proposed formulating a new National Security Strategy and a modern defence doctrine based on the 'Bangladesh First' policy, alongside establishing a National Security Council.

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