Bangladesh, Aug. 3 -- Bangladesh today stands at a critical geopolitical crossroads. Located between South Asia and Southeast Asia and at the northern edge of the Bay of Bengal, the country has become increasingly important to major global and regional powers.

China, the United States and India all regard Bangladesh as a valuable strategic partner, albeit for different reasons.

The challenge for Dhaka is not to choose one over another but to build a balanced, pragmatic and independent foreign policy that safeguards its national interests while contributing to regional peace and economic development.

Bangladesh has traditionally followed the foreign policy "Friendship to all, malice toward none." In today's increasingly polarized world...