Mir Afroz Zaman 

 Former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and veteran journalist MJ Akbar emphasized that current political-diplomatic frictions between Bangladesh and India are merely a "temporary storm" that cannot erode the deep historical, cultural, and people-to-people bonds shared by the two neighboring nations.

Speaking on the second day of the ‘Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026’ at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on Sunday, Akbar addressed the gathering in a session titled "Five Seas, One Gathering Storm."

He urged leaders and diplomats to rethink conventional diplomatic frameworks to navigate current tensions. "In solving a problem, new possibilities are not created if one is stuck only in asking 'is it possible or not.' Rather, the question of 'why is it not possible' must also be asked," Akbar remarked, stressing that such a shift in perspective could break long-standing deadlocks.

Highlighting the core identity of Bangladesh, the former minister pointed to language, history, and shared heritage while stressing that mutual respect for national sovereignty remains vital to international stability. Without explicit respect for sovereignty, he warned, the broader international order risks sinking into deeper volatility.

Turning to global security, Akbar noted that 21st-century conflicts defy 20th-century geopolitical frameworks. Drawing parallels from history, he described the Cold War as a broader world war whose impact was directly felt across Asia and Africa. He urged analysts to focus on root causes and historical contexts rather than judging disputes solely by immediate events.

The three-day regional conference, organized under the theme "Fragments, Frontiers, Futures: Navigating Power, Technology and Trust in a Rethinking World," brings together diplomats, economists, researchers, and media professionals from around the globe to discuss security, trade, and climate issues shaping the Bay of Bengal.