Sadik Sagar, Dhaka:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to prioritise the Middle East for his first official foreign visit, signalling a strategic focus on economic stability, labour diplomacy and regional developments at the outset of his tenure.
Officials said Rahman and his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, have completed the formalities to obtain Bangladeshi passports as part of preparations for upcoming overseas engagements. While Zubaida Rahman has already received her passport, the prime minister is expected to receive his soon.
Sources within the party said Rahman has been invited to visit several countries, including China, India and Pakistan. However, his first foreign trip is being planned with caution, given its diplomatic significance amid evolving global dynamics, particularly ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Government insiders said Dhaka is closely monitoring the regional situation, as the Middle East hosts the largest concentration of Bangladeshi expatriate workers and remains a major source of remittance inflows. Any instability in the region has direct implications for Bangladesh’s economic stability.
“If the situation improves, the prime minister may prioritise visiting Middle Eastern countries,” a source familiar with the matter said.
Analysts say such a move would reflect a pragmatic policy approach, placing immediate economic interests at the forefront. Strengthening ties with Gulf nations could help secure labour market access, ensure steady remittance flows and deepen energy cooperation.
Among key partners, Saudi Arabia is expected to feature prominently. Bangladesh maintains longstanding relations with the kingdom, particularly in labour migration, energy cooperation and Hajj management, as well as within multilateral platforms such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
The sequencing of potential visits suggests a calibrated diplomatic strategy. While engagement with major regional powers such as India and China remains important, prioritising the Middle East could provide immediate economic reassurance before broader geopolitical outreach.
Meanwhile, the government has moved to ensure continuity in governance during the prime minister’s absence. According to a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed will oversee responsibilities related to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Salahuddin Ahmed will also handle parliamentary matters concerning the Ministry of Defence, the Cabinet Division and the Armed Forces Division.
Officials say these arrangements are intended to maintain administrative continuity as the government prepares for increased international engagement.
Observers note that Rahman’s choice of destination for his first foreign visit will serve as an early indicator of his administration’s foreign policy direction, balancing economic imperatives with geopolitical considerations in a volatile global environment.
