Bangladesh-Southeast Asia Relations: 25 Years of 'Look East' Policy
Faculty & Visiting Speaker, University of Chicago
This panel discussion evaluates a quarter-century of Bangladesh's 'Look East' policy, scrutinizing its economic and political impacts on relations with Southeast Asian nations.
About the Online Panel Discussion This online panel discussion aims to unpack Bangladesh’s political and economic relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Despite the geographical proximity, Bangladesh historically has not maintained close ties with its eastern neighbours. In 2001, Dhaka launched its ‘Look East’ policy to place increased emphasis on expanding its engagement with Southeast Asia. Twenty-five years later, the result has been mixed. Although the flows of trade, migration and investments have increased substantially, they remain far below their potential. Institutional engagement has grown in fits and starts. ASEAN has still not initiated a dialogue partnership with Bangladesh.