The American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB), in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), Japan, and Rikkyo University, Japan, organized an international seminar titled “Understanding South Asian Geopolitics through Bangladesh” at the AIUB Auditorium in Dhaka on 8 July 2026. The seminar attended by esteemed faculty members and students was moderated by Dr. Mohd Zahidul Islam Khan, Registrar of AIUB and visiting Research Fellow of the Department of Politics and IR, University of Reading, UK.

The seminar commenced with welcome remarks by Dr. Naonori Kusakabe, CMS Fellow at SPF and Associate Professor at Rikkyo University. Dr Kusakabe emphasized the importance of strengthening intellectual exchanges between Bangladesh and Japan and highlighted Bangladesh's growing relevance in regional strategic discourse. The event was also attended by SPF representatives Dr. Akiko Horiba, Director of CMS, and Dr. Masato Toriya, CMS Fellow and Associate Professor at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

The seminar featured a distinguished panel of speakers from leading universities.

Mr. Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Finance at AIUB, discussed Bangladesh's economic transformation and its expanding role in regional connectivity, outlining pathways towards becoming a US$1 trillion economy. Professor S. M. Ali Reza of the University of Dhaka examined the future of Bangladesh–Japan relations within the broader context of South Asian diplomacy.

Addressing international norms, Md. Mostafa Hosain, Assistant Professor at the School of Law, BRAC University, explored the prospects for a rules-based international order and Japan's role in supporting Bangladesh. Dr. K. M. Mahiuddin of Jahangirnagar University presented lessons from Japan on promoting the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, arguing that meaningful inclusion must extend beyond legislation into everyday public life.

Dr. Saleh Md. Shahriar of North South University analysed China's soft power strategy in Bangladesh, while Professor Shahab Enam Khan of Bangladesh University of Professionals concluded the thematic sessions by examining Japan's engagement in South Asia and its implications for Bangladesh's strategic calculus.

To engage the largely Gen-Z audience and capture their views in real time, the moderator used a TEL tool (Mentimeter), revealing some intriguing insights. Audience responses consistently portrayed Bangladesh as a strategic connector — a gateway for trade, connectivity, and regional economic corridors. They also identified water and the Bay of Bengal as central geopolitical considerations, viewing Bangladesh as a normative powerhouse and geopolitical pivot state amid evolving regional dynamics.

During the engaging question-and-answer session, moderated by Dr. Khan, the speakers underscored the importance of academic diplomacy, interdisciplinary scholarship, and international collaboration in advancing understanding of South Asian geopolitics. They also emphasized the need to further strengthen Bangladesh–Japan cooperation while highlighting Bangladesh's growing strategic prominence in regional and global affairs.

The event was attended by Professor Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Tazul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Professor Dr Anwar Hossain, Advisor and Dean in Charge, Faculty of Business Administration, of AIUB, faculty members, policy experts, researchers, and university students.

The seminar concluded with closing remarks by Professor Dr. Saiful Islam, Vice Chancellor of AIUB, who reaffirmed the university's commitment to interdisciplinary research, international collaboration, and evidence-based policy dialogue on issues of regional and global importance. Thanking the participants from Bangladesh and Japan, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the importance of such scholarly engagement in understanding the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape of South Asia with a focus on Bangladesh.