Book Discussion on Bangladesh on a New Journey: Moving beyond the Regional Identity

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On 08 April, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized a discussion on the book titled, “Bangladesh on a New Journey: Moving beyond the Regional Identity" edited by Prof. Sreeradha Datta and published by Bloomsbury in January 2024. Apart from the author, the Panel for the discussion consisted of Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF (moderator); Lt. General R. K. Sawhney (Retd.); Veena Sikri, Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh; Amb Pankaj Saran; Amb Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty; Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma; Prof Amena Mohsin; Dipanjan Chaudhury and researchers from the VIF.

Dr. Arvind Gupta delivered the opening remarks followed by a brief overview about the book by the editor Prof. Sreeradha Datta. Amb Pankaj Saran assessed the book in detail, followed by Dipanjan Chaudhury who evaluated Bangladesh economic progress and the challenges ahead for the country in the economic sphere. A special address was given by Veena Sikri, accompanied by an engaging discussion.

The book, which is the culmination of 13 chapters, has analyzed Bangladesh’s relations with the external world including how the country is increasingly becoming important for the region and the outside world. This book has contributions by 14 authors from across geographies and the chapters are a mix of thematic and bilateral issues, with some, also who have examined Bangladesh's foreign policy through the prism of regionalism, multilateralism and its policy of strategic autonomy. The author of the edited volume stated that this book is an attempt to understand the geo-strategic significance of Bangladesh, its growing presence in the world stage supported by the country’s economic transformation despite political uncertainties.