Foreign Policy is usually viewed as an extension of domestic policy. Foreign policy refers to the policy of a sovereign state to achieve its desired goals to the foreign countries. The foreign policy of Bangladesh, like that of any other state is also primarily a projection of the country's socio-economic and political compulsions in international politics.

The emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state in 1971 in South Asia appears to be a unique phenomenon in international affairs. Bangladesh's options in foreign policy appear to be limited because of its geographical location, small size of the territory and limited economic resources. It is apparent that the conduct of foreign policy of Bangladesh appears to be a delicate balancing act between preservation of sovereignty and pressures from external powers.

Constitutional provisions on foreign policy The foreign policy of Bangladesh emanates from a number of provisions of the Bangladesh Constitution. These provisions are stated in Article 25 of the Constitution. These are as follows:

The State shall base its international relations on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlement of international dispute, and respect for international law and the principles enunciated in the United Nations Charter, and on the basis of those principles shall strive for the renunciation of the use of force in international relations and for general and complete disarmament;

Uphold the right of every people freely to determine and build up its own social economic and political system by ways and means of its own free choice; and

Support oppressed peoples throughout the world waging a just struggle against imperialism colonialism or racialism.

The State shall endeavor to consolidate, preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic solidarity.

The policy on declaration of war was mentioned in Article 63 of the Constitution which states that war shall not be declared, and the Republic shall not participate in any war except with the assent of the Jatiya Sangsad. Article 145(a) on foreign treaty states: 'All treaties with foreign countries shall be submitted to the President who shall cause them to be laid before Parliament, provided that any such treaty connected with national security shall be laid in a secret session of Parliament'.

Principles of Bangladesh foreign policy There are some principles maintained under the foreign policy of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a member of various international key organisations such as the UN, the NAM etc. So the principles of Bangladesh foreign policy can't be controversial with the principles of these organisations. There are four basic principles of Bangladesh foreign policy. They are given below:

Friendship to all and malice towards none: Bangladesh being a poor country is dependent on the foreign aid which is provided by the states with various ideologies. That is why the Father of the nation Bangabandhu sheikh mujibur rahman said: 'We are a small country, we want friendship to all and malice towards none.'

Respect to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of other states: Bangladesh is a member of United Nations. The UN charter mentioned in article 2(4) that 'All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations'.