Bangladesh, June 26 -- rime Minister Tarique Rahman's first official visit abroad since assuming office last February, has been a two-legged tour of Malaysia and China. This immediately revives memories of the last BNP government's "Look East" policy. The policy was originally adopted in 2001 after the party led by the late Khaleda Zia was elected. At the time, Khaleda Zia said "The doors are open to us in the west, east, south and north but we are focussing on the east because it is good for us". Back then, the motivation was a lack of progress in trade deals within SAARC countries and the perceived domination of India. Almost a quarter of a century later, the motivations today are largely similar.

By choosing Malaysia for his maiden o...