Exploring Bangladesh’s Complex Future in the Context of Regional Geopolitical Dynamics

Bangladesh serves as an important link between South and Southeast Asia and is of great strategic importance to all major regional and global players. The purpose of this article is to analyze the future of Bangladesh in the context of complex regional dynamics and thecountry’sown foreign policy reactions to them. The author examines how the growing geopolitical competition and rivalry between major powers, along with their significant influence on Bangladesh, are generating serious challenges for the country. To understand Dhaka’s strategy towards these powers, the study conducted a detailed review of the latest scientific literature, field research, and in-depth interviews. The analysis shows that Bangladesh pursues a moderate foreign policy to maintain relations with all key regional and extra-regional powers. Yet Dhaka’s ability to conduct its foreign policy effectively is constrained by its inability to build leverage over the dominant powers. The article concludes that the influence of key powers on the political landscape of Bangladesh may lead the country to join a certain power bloc or remain neutral in the near future, depending on the changing regional and global political dynamics. Thus, the study suggests that by developing its short- and long-term plans and strategies, Bangladesh can build leverage and stay on the right track without falling into the trap of geopolitics.