Bay of Bengal conversation and Bangladesh’s grow...

Summary

• Having participated in the 2025 Bay of Bengal Conversation as both a panelist and moderator, I witnessed firsthand how the platform brings together diverse international voices to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing the region and the wider world.
• Ultimately, the growing profile of the Bay of Bengal Conversation demonstrates how international conferences can become instruments of soft power.
• The trajectory of the Bay of Bengal Conversation therefore offers an important example of how a country can use dialogue, cultural engagement and intellectual exchange to strengthen its international presence.

AI Generated Summary

The Bay of Bengal Conversation (BOBC) motto, “All Roads Lead to Dhaka,” may initially sound like an ambitious tagline. Yet, the conference’s growing international footprint suggests that the phrase increasingly reflects a broader reality. As South Asia gains greater prominence in global geopolitical and economic discussions, Dhaka is emerging as an important hub for international dialogue, policy thinking and Track-2 diplomacy.

Having participated in the 2025 Bay of Bengal Conversation as both a panelist and moderator, I witnessed firsthand how the platform brings together diverse international voices to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing the region and the wider world. The breadth of international participation was notable, but equally significant was the way the conference showcased Bangladesh’s hospitality, cuisine and cultural heritage.

When journalists, diplomats, policymakers and thought leaders from different parts of the world gather in Dhaka not only to discuss regional affairs but also to experience Bangladeshi culture, the event becomes more than a conventional policy conference. It creates an avenue through which Bangladesh can strengthen its soft-power outreach and build relationships beyond formal diplomatic channels.