THE BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT
Bangladesh's geostrategic importance is underscored by its strategic location, economic growth, and political dynamics under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's long tenure. The country has transformed from extreme poverty to a lower-middle-income nation with a thriving garment industry, exporting $47.38 billion in 2023. However, despite economic progress, significant youth unemployment and income inequality have led to intense protests against a controversial quota system, expanding into broader socio-political unrest. The unrest and potential political instability are critical, given Bangladesh's role in regional dynamics, especially in the context of India-China competition and its significance to US and European Indo-Pacific strategies.
