Since early 2024, Bangladesh has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
With a government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus signalling that full membership is the ultimate goal, Bangladesh is actively seeking a place in Southeast Asia’s premier regional bloc.
This push is rooted in economic, political, and strategic motives and has drawn support from several ASEAN members, but also faces substantial hurdles. Below is a breakdown of how Bangladesh is pushing for ASEAN membership and what stands in its path.
Why Does Bangladesh Want to Join ASEAN?
Bangladesh has expressed interest in first becoming a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN. That status is seen as a stepping stone toward full membership.
The country’s goals include deeper trade and investment ties, improved infrastructure and connectivity, more robust people-to-people links, and aligning with ASEAN’s multilateral norms about regional cooperation.
The rationale is partly economic growth: ASEAN’s large markets, its experience with free trade and cross-border supply chains, and its emphasis on connectivity promise opportunities for Bangladesh’s export sectors and for attracting foreign investment.
Diplomatic Efforts
Bangladesh is not working in isolation. Its leadership has made several diplomatic overtures, seeking backing particularly from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In April 2025, Chief Adviser Yunus met with Thai elites in Bangkok to explore support for membership.
Malaysia’s Deputy Minister for Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, publicly urged ASEAN to give serious consideration to Bangladesh’s membership bid, citing its growing economic potential and strategic importance.
Bangladesh has also approached Indonesia for support, asking for more business opportunities and collaboration.
Obstacles and Concerns
While there is momentum, Bangladesh faces a number of challenges in its bid. One major issue is competition: ASEAN member states already enjoy advantages in supply chains, trade agreements, infrastructure, and regional integration that Bangladesh must catch up to.
Another concern is whether Bangladesh can meet ASEAN’s criteria in terms of governance, human rights, regulatory standards, and economic readiness. There is also the political question of whether all ASEAN members will agree to expanding the group.
ASEAN operates largely on consensus, meaning that any one member could block accession if its concerns are not addressed.
Also, entering as a full member would require Bangladesh to align with many rules, norms, and competitive pressures that might present risks, especially for local industries that are less prepared for open competition.
Recent Moves Forward
Some concrete steps indicate that Bangladesh’s effort is more than rhetoric. The country has asked ASEAN members to support its bid for sectoral dialogue partner status, with a target of achieving that status by the next ASEAN summit.
Leading figures in Bangladesh are publicly asking for ASEAN’s support, making diplomatic visits, and underscoring the mutual benefits of inclusion.
Malaysia has given positive signals, and Indonesia’s ambassador in Dhaka has committed to closely following Bangladesh’s application for membership and assisting where possible.
What the Future May Look Like
For Bangladesh, the path ahead likely involves a phased approach. Securing sectoral dialogue partner status seems a realistic near‑term goal, providing access to certain ASEAN mechanisms and giving Bangladesh a platform to align itself more closely with ASEAN norms.
Over time, if it can secure broad support, meet necessary criteria (economic, regulatory, diplomatic), and handle the pressures of integration, it could move toward full membership.
If successful, the benefits could include enhanced trade with ASEAN economies, improved infrastructure connectivity, and stronger diplomatic weight in regional affairs.
But if obstacles are not addressed, such as domestic readiness, regulatory alignment, and securing unanimous ASEAN support, there is a risk that the bid could stall or bring disagreements.
In sum, Bangladesh’s push to join ASEAN is one of its most ambitious foreign policy moves in recent years. With growing external support and internal momentum, it has made real progress.
But full membership will demand sustained effort, strategic planning, and navigating both opportunities and risks carefully.
