The Bay of Bengal Conversations 2025 resonated with the compulsions of smaller nations and the opportunities that the unravelling of the Western model offers. The theme — Rivals, Ruptures, Realignments — brought out some unusual critique of the global North, something that was unthinkable until a couple of years ago. Issues like frustration with the status quo; helplessness vis a vis big power agendas; small powers' dilemmas such as who to side with; back-paddling of democracy, often condoned by the big powers if democratic regression is aligned with their interests; demise of the rules-based order (the way the West peddled it as an abiding principle for all); and the inevitability of China as a bridge between the North and South dominated the charged discourse for three days.

The forum, organised by the Center for Governance Studies at Dhaka, drew nearly 200 foreign and local delegates and took place to the context of unease and anxiety within Bangladesh ahead of general elections in February next year.

Professor Julia Ronkifard, from the University of Nottingham's Malaysia campus, used the phrase "geopolitically motivated new disorder" as the rule of law crumbled.

In this volatile global scenario, China stands out as the most important trading and political partner — no matter what others say, or how long the EU leaders continue to dance along with Donald Trump, believes Ms Ronkifard. China offers value-free........

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