Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin’s Sudden Exit: Diplomacy, Dissent, and Strategic Discord

Reading Time: 4 minutes Key Points: Md Jashim Uddin’s term as Foreign Secretary ends prematurely amid deep internal rifts and controversy. Major point of contention: his opposition to National Security Advisor Dr Khalilur Rahman’s Rohingya humanitarian corridor proposal. Backed by some in the military brass, Uddin position aligns closely with opposition party narratives. He is also facing allegations of corruption, moral misconduct, and suspected collusion with BNP-aligned actors. His demand for Pakistan to settle financial liabilities from 1971 during Amna Baloch’s visit strained bilateral diplomacy. Dr Nazrul Islam is serving as interim Foreign Secretary; several senior diplomats are being considered for permanent appointment. The new appointee will face a complex geopolitical landscape involving the Rohingya crisis, regional tensions, and great power rivalry. Md Jashim Uddin’s tenure as Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, which began in September 2024, appears set to conclude abruptly, marred by internal dissent, public scrutiny, and contentious foreign policy