In a measured response to the escalating conflict between two South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation member states, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has reaffirmed Bangladesh’s preference for “quiet diplomacy” over public condemnation, warning that “war doesn’t bring anything good.”

Speaking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Saturday following his return from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Rahman described the hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan as “an unfortunate matter.” The Foreign Minister, accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, stressed that Dhaka is quietly communicating with friendly nations to discourage further escalation. “We are not making public statements, but we are trying to make our friends understand that such wars benefit no one,” he said.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr Rahman’s comments come as regional tensions surged following Pakistan’s declaration of an “open war” with Afghanistan after days of cross-border airstrikes. The Afghan side had reportedly launched retaliatory attacks late Thursday following Pakistani strikes on border regions, which Islamabad answered with bombings in Kabul and other provinces.

During his visit to Jeddah for the extraordinary ministerial session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Executive Committee, Dr Rahman held a series of high-level meetings, including a bilateral discussion with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting “peace, stability, and shared prosperity” across the region, according to a statement from the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Bangladesh minister also conferred with representatives from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, The Gambia, and Palestine.

Dr Rahman’s diplomatic engagements reflect Dhaka’s ongoing effort to uphold neutrality and dialogue amid regional crises. Earlier, on February 24, he met with Md. Golam Sarwar and reiterated Bangladesh’s “abiding commitment to the principles enshrined in the SAARC Charter including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference, and mutual benefit of all member states.”

Bangladesh’s cautious tone underscores its broader foreign-policy stance of fostering stability in South Asia through engagement rather than confrontation.

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