Tentative Date: February 1, 2025. CIRDAP AUDITORIUM, DHAKA.
The downfall of Hasina’s authoritarian regime in August 2024, following a massive student-led uprising, marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s history. With an interim government led by Professor Yunus taking charge, the nation finds itself embroiled in a precarious geopolitical landscape. Neighboring India, having lost a steadfast ally who unabashedly served its interests for many years, has intensified its efforts to reclaim influence, placing Bangladesh at the center of a regional tug-of-war.
The stakes are high for the leadership of Bangladesh as they confront the delicate task of balancing relations with three global powers: regional giants India and China, and the global superpower, the United States. Each of these nations is recalibrating its geopolitical strategies, compelling Bangladesh to devise thoughtful and robust policies to protect its sovereignty and independence in this critical juncture.
To address these challenges, a high-level seminar will convene prominent political leaders, scholars and experts from universities and think tanks, military strategists, influential journalists, civic leaders, and foreign diplomats. Together, they will deliberate on actionable strategies for navigating Bangladesh’s complex geopolitical realities and advancing the nation’s interests in this transitional period.
The BIPS is a newly established think tank dedicated to advancing democratic values, human rights, and free-market principles. It is founded by Dr. CAF Dowlah, a dual citizen of the United States and Bangladesh, who served as a Professor of Economics and Law in the United States for three decades and has also worked with the United Nations and the World Bank for several years. He holds a doctoral degree in Economics from the University of Southern California and an LLM from the University of Miami School of Law.
BIPS made its public debut last October by organizing a landmark conference on “Constitutional Reforms for Transition to Democratic Governance in Bangladesh” at the CIRDAP Auditorium. Presided over by Justice Syed M. Dastagir, the event featured Justice M.A. Matin as Chief Guest and Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam as Special Guest. With over 35 lawyers in attendance, the conference received widespread media coverage and established BIPS as a prominent voice in shaping Bangladesh’s democratic future. For more information, please visit www.bipsgloblal.org.