Published: February 15, 2026, 11:15 AM
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged to take steps to revive Saarc if his party forms the government, stressing that Bangladesh’s national interests will guide both regional cooperation efforts and foreign policy decisions.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has said his party is keen on taking initiatives regarding the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).
"Bangladesh was the initiator of Saarc. So naturally, we would want Saarc to be revived. The BNP will take initiatives in this regard after forming the government. The government speaks to neighbouring countries on the issue," Tarique said while speaking at his first post-election press conference at the InterContinental Hotel in the capital.
In response to a question from a journalist about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China-Bangladesh relations, Tarique Rahman said the interests of the people of the country would come first.
"If the BRI proves helpful and beneficial for Bangladesh`s economy, the government would consider the initiative."
Asked what the BNP`s foreign policy would look like, he said Bangladesh and its people`s interests would be given top priority.
"The country and its citizens would determine the framework of foreign policy."
The idea for the Saarc emerged from initiatives by Bangladesh in the early 1980s, and then‑president Ziaur Rahman, the BNP chief`s father.
Ziaur Rahman is known to have played a key role in proposing regional cooperation among South Asian countries, helping set the stage for Saarc`s creation.
Saarc was formally established on 8 December 1985 in Dhaka with its charter signed by the leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
It was officially founded by the collective agreement of all the seven South Asian governments in 1985.
