Sheikh Hasina Urges Bangladesh Foreign Policy Rethink as Garment Workers Shut Down Dhaka Streets

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called on Bangladesh to fundamentally rethink its foreign policy, invoking the principle of 'friendship to all, malice to none' after the country's notable absence from BRICS. The same week saw garment workers take to the streets of Dhaka, bringing traffic to a standstill, while a tense beef controversy near a Hindu temple during Durga Puja troubled the city's Hindu community.

Hasina Invokes 'Friendship to All' as Bangladesh Weighs Post-BRICS Foreign Policy

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made pointed public remarks this week, urging Bangladesh to rethink its foreign policy following the country's high-profile absence from a key BRICS meeting. Citing the guiding principle of 'friendship to all, malice to none' — echoing the foreign policy doctrine Bangladesh has long professed — she called on Dhaka to pursue a more pragmatic and independent diplomatic course. The Economic Times reported her comments as a direct challenge to the country's current foreign policy direction, coming at a moment when Bangladesh's relationships with major powers remain unsettled. BRICS has become an important grouping for emerging economies in Asia and beyond, and Bangladesh's failure to attend raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles. Hasina's remarks suggest she believes the country has an opportunity — and an obligation — to cultivate deeper ties with a broader range of partners without aligning too closely with any single bloc. Analysts have noted that navigating between India, China, and Western partners is never straightforward for Dhaka. Her call for a foreign policy reset comes amid significant political flux in Bangladesh following the events of recent months. [2]

Bangladesh Still Waiting for Word on Citizens Executed in Saudi Arabia

Bangladesh remained in the dark this week about the fate of its citizens executed in Saudi Arabia, according to The Daily Star. The issue of Bangladeshi migrant workers on death row in the Gulf is a long-standing concern for rights advocates and families, who have repeatedly complained that neither Saudi authorities nor Bangladesh's consular network provides timely notification of impending executions. For many families, news of a loved one's execution arrives only through informal channels — sometimes from fellow workers rather than the government. The Daily Star's reporting underscores the persistent failure of Bangladesh's foreign ministry to establish reliable mechanisms for tracking and communicating the status of its nationals in the Saudi justice system. Bangladesh sends hundreds of thousands of workers to Saudi Arabia each year, making it one of the country's most important sources of remittances. Yet when those workers face capital punishment, the system of diplomatic protection appears chronically insufficient. Human rights organisations have called for a bilateral agreement between Dhaka and Riyadh that would guarantee advance notification of executions and ensure consular access. The issue resonates deeply with migrant worker communities worldwide. [5]

Beef Controversy Near Dhaka Temple Casts Shadow Over Durga Puja Celebrations

The Durga Puja festival season in Dhaka was disrupted by a troubling incident reported by PGurus: a row over beef khichuri being prepared near a Hindu temple turned tense, with students reportedly slaughtering a cow on a campus located close to the festival site. The event unfolded during one of the most sacred periods in the Hindu calendar, drawing swift condemnation from Hindu community leaders who described the acts as deliberate provocations aimed at disturbing the celebrations. Durga Puja is observed annually by millions of Hindus across Bangladesh, and community organisations have consistently called for stronger administrative protections during the festival. Bangladesh's Home Minister did separately reaffirm his commitment to equal rights and religious freedom for all citizens on the occasion of Durga Puja — but incidents like this one test those assurances in practice. Local authorities were called to manage the situation, and police presence at temple premises was stepped up in the aftermath. Community advocates say such incidents reflect deeper tensions that must be addressed through sustained dialogue and institutional accountability rather than reactive policing alone. [6]

Bangladesh Garment Workers Strike, Bringing Dhaka Traffic to a Standstill

Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector — the engine of the country's export economy — was once again the scene of worker unrest this week, with protests bringing parts of Dhaka to a standstill in striking scenes documented by the Asia News Network. The garment industry employs millions of workers, the vast majority of them women, and labour actions have historically flared during periods of wage disputes and economic pressure. Workers have been pressing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living in Dhaka, where inflation has eroded purchasing power. Bangladesh's garment sector competes globally on cost, leaving limited room for wage gains without direct government mediation. The protests, which clogged key roads and disrupted commutes across the capital, drew significant media attention both domestically and regionally. Union leaders have called on the government and factory owners to enter urgent talks aimed at producing a sustainable wage settlement. The garment sector generates the overwhelming majority of Bangladesh's export revenues, and prolonged unrest carries real risks for the economy. International buyers and brands have also been increasingly attentive to labour conditions in Bangladeshi supply chains, adding further pressure on all sides to reach a resolution. [7]

Sources: [2] The Economic Times · [5] The Daily Star · [6] PGurus · [7] Asia News Network