The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened existing cleavages present in Bangladesh’s economy, society, politics, and healthcare infrastructure. In a post-pandemic world, Bangladesh will be compelled to cope with economic challenges as it prepares to graduate from its least developed country status in 2026. It will also have to respond to other internal problems exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those related to a non-inclusive political environment, climate change, the relocation of Rohingya refugees, and a strained healthcare system.

Moreover, schisms in Bangladesh’s relations with neighboring India have been exposed, following protests related to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on the occasion of the country’s golden jubilee celebrations. With increasing regional competition, a changing geopolitical environment with vaccine competition between India and China, and an ongoing democratic crisis in Myanmar next-door, Bangladesh will need to come up with creative responses that uplift all segments of Bangladeshi society and position itself at the forefront of climate change action and Rohingya resettlement.

Join the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of Bangladesh’s economic, political, and healthcare landscapes in the context of the evolving COVID-19 landscape.