The political posting of diplomats without skill and professionalism in Bangladesh missions abroad in the past stood  in the way of getting the best service that the country expected, said policymakers and diplomats.   

With political change on August 5, 2024, the Bangladesh government has recalled some diplomats serving the missions of Berlin, Tokyo and Jeddah, and return to the country, leaving that posts vacant     

Sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Bangladesh Ambassador to USA Dr Muhammad Imran, Bangladesh Ambassador to Belgium Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia M Allama Siddiki, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Dr Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Bangladesh Ambassador to Kuwait  Major General Syed Tareq Hussain and Bangladesh Ambassador to Portugal Rezina Ahmed are expected to return to Dhaka this year.

Meanwhile, Md Jashim Uddin, currently serving as the Bangladesh Ambassador to China and a career diplomat of 13th BCS, is most likely to become next Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh as the tenure of incumbent Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is expected to end 6 December, 2024, sources said.

Md Jashim Uddin has also been instructed  to return to Dhaka within 15 days leading to the vacancy of that post also.

Former Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Humayun Kabir while talking to this correspondent said that the government should give postings in some important positions like New Delhi, Washington DC and London on the basis of professionalism and skill  with a view to getting the best service.

Humayun Kabir, a freedom fighter and a former career diplomat, said that India and the USA are two strategic, trading and development partners of Bangladesh and the new interim government should give posting on the basis of professionalism and skill.

Sources said the government does give 30 percent of total postings in Bangladesh missions abroad on the political ground with rest posts being filled by the career diplomats. The economy of Bangladesh has been left in derailed conditions by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In terms of cumulative FDI over the last 50 years, the USA still holds the top position in Bangladesh.

The USA is the single largest destination of Bangladeshi goods holding the top position in terms of FDI.  In the changed environment, Dhaka will maintain special relations with Washington also, said a diplomat.      

India is an important trading and strategical partner of Bangladesh and the proper nursing of relations with neighbouring  countries is also crucial , said  a bureaucrat of the government.

Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and later turned into a brutal dictator, had been a trusted and reliable partner of the India government during January 7, 2009-August 5, 2024. The end of Sheikh Hasina’s regime has been a major shock to the Indian government, and the policymakers, and Dhaka will nurture relations with New Delhi meticulously to reach the ties in the coming days on a win–win basis, a Bangladesh diplomat in Dhaka.