Yunus seeks Malaysia's support for Bangladesh to become ASEAN member

ASEAN would be a good block to join if the block accepts Bangladesh. It’s fine, even if they’ll let you in as an observer.
A foot in the door is not a bad idea.
 
It's mainly because of cultural ties. SEA countries are somewhat similar in culture, food, religion and even the way they look. BD is solidly a south asian desi country. They want to associate with culturally similar countries. Sort of like how the EU is the union of white Christians.
That would be quite a xenophobic way of looking at things for ASEAN, given that it is a predominantly economic block where race should be irrelevant.
Given their comparative advantage in manufacturing, many existing ASEAN countries will benefit from increased exports to Bangladesh in the short to medium term.
 
Not really. The reason is more economic. Yes, we might take a hit in the short term in terms of trade imbalance, given that most of the ASEAN members have comparative advantage in the manufacturing sector right now, but eventually Bangladesh can use its large and cheap labour force to take advantage of the FTA and export more.

India can benefit indirectly by selling raw materials and unfinished goods to Bangladesh which can be completed and re-exported to other ASEAN countries.

There may be geopolitical benefits too (e.g.- bit more pressure on Burma to repatriate Rohingyas) but I cannot forsee any game changers at the moment.
You need to first understand what kind of organization ASEAN is, then analyze exactly what Bangladesh needs, and finally express your opinions and comments.
ASEAN is a regional political organization of national alliance, not an economic organization.
ASEAN member countries usually communicate with other countries or organizations outside the region in the name of ASEAN as a whole.
ASEAN member countries are generally politically stable, do not interfere in each other's internal affairs, and generally remain neutral in the international situation. Therefore, there are basically no serious conflicts in the ASEAN region, and everyone is focusing on the economy. Some people mistakenly believe that ASEAN is an economic organization.

RCEP is an economic organization, and it is also the world's largest free trade zone.

Bangladesh should apply to join RCEP, not ASEAN.
 
You need to first understand what kind of organization ASEAN is, then analyze exactly what Bangladesh needs, and finally express your opinions and comments.
ASEAN is a regional political organization of national alliance, not an economic organization.
ASEAN member countries usually communicate with other countries or organizations outside the region in the name of ASEAN as a whole.
ASEAN member countries are generally politically stable, do not interfere in each other's internal affairs, and generally remain neutral in the international situation. Therefore, there are basically no serious conflicts in the ASEAN region, and everyone is focusing on the economy. Some people mistakenly believe that ASEAN is an economic organization.

RCEP is an economic organization, and it is also the world's largest free trade zone.

Bangladesh should apply to join RCEP, not ASEAN.
An interim government has limited powers to join organizations. Observer status should be ok, but actual joining would take a representative government.
 
That would be quite a xenophobic way of looking at things for ASEAN, given that it is a predominantly economic block where race should be irrelevant.
Given their comparative advantage in manufacturing, many existing ASEAN countries will benefit from increased exports to Bangladesh in the short to medium term.
@Bengal71 is totally right.

The Arab League is for states who are actually Arab (with the strange exceptions of Somalia, Eritrea etc who are not Arab but want to align themselves with Arabs or semi-idenify as Arabs something proud Turks or Persians would never do), ASEAN is for states that are Mongoloid south-east Asian racially and they would not want desi Bangladesh.

The exceptions to this rule would be Muslim Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei who are pro-BD because of a shared religion.
 
Lol ask an average thai or khmer or viet of what they think about banglas. You will know the likelihood of BD joining Asean.

Yes, you are right. They wouldn't want us.

Also the other Mongoloid peoples of north eastern India e.g. Manipur, Assam do not like Indic/desi people too be they Muslim or Hindu.
 
You need to first understand what kind of organization ASEAN is, then analyze exactly what Bangladesh needs, and finally express your opinions and comments.
ASEAN is a regional political organization of national alliance, not an economic organization.
ASEAN member countries usually communicate with other countries or organizations outside the region in the name of ASEAN as a whole.
ASEAN member countries are generally politically stable, do not interfere in each other's internal affairs, and generally remain neutral in the international situation. Therefore, there are basically no serious conflicts in the ASEAN region, and everyone is focusing on the economy. Some people mistakenly believe that ASEAN is an economic organization.
Why would any of what you described above be a barrier for Bangladeshi entry?

I know very well that ASEAN's scope is broader than economics. However, in practice, their focus has been largely economic.

Joining RCEP would be great but ASEAN membership would open up even more opportunities for Bangladesh.
 
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@Bengal71 is totally right.

The Arab League is for states who are actually Arab (with the strange exceptions of Somalia, Eritrea etc who are not Arab but want to align themselves with Arabs or semi-idenify as Arabs something proud Turks or Persians would never do), ASEAN is for states that are Mongoloid south-east Asian racially and they would not want desi Bangladesh.

The exceptions to this rule would be Muslim Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei who are pro-BD because of a shared religion.

Yes, you are right. They wouldn't want us.

Also the other Mongoloid peoples of north eastern India e.g. Manipur, Assam do not like Indic/desi people too be they Muslim or Hindu.

Let ASEAN make a formal determination on Bangladesh's application instead of pre-capitulating to perceived racism.
I am glad that Yunus is choosing not to thumbtwiddle and surrender on this topic but instead aggressively seeking support from ASEAN members.
 
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Let ASEAN make a formal determination on Bangladesh's application instead of pre-capitulating to perceived racism.
I am glad that Yunus is choosing not to thumbtwiddle and surrender on this topic but instead aggressively seeking support from ASEAN members.
Demo on how not to pre-capitulate. Yunus addresses Asean leaders:
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Dhaka seeks Singapore support to join RCEP​

Published : 15 Sep 2025 01:22 AM

Bangladesh on Sundaysought support from Singapore to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that provides a framework aimed at lowering trade barriers and securing improved market access for goods and services for businesses in the region.

The urge was made when Non-Resident High Commissioner of Singapore to Bangladesh Derek Loh Eu-Tse called on Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam at the foreign ministry, said a press release.

During the meeting, the foreign secretary and Singaporean envoy discussed the bilateral issues of mutual interest encompassing trade, investment, shipbuilding, sustainable energy, education, vocational training, medical tourism, and healthcare.

The Foreign Secretary sought Singapore’s collaboration in waste-to-energy power generation in Bangladesh.

High Commissioner Loh expressed interest to working on waste-to-energy power generation and further investment possibilities and operational partnerships in Bangladesh.

The foreign secretary also sought Singapore’s active support for the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas, the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) from Bangladesh.

Siam raised the visa complexities experienced by Bangladeshi seafarers, and the High Commissioner agreed to examine the visa difficulties faced by Bangladeshi seafarers.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Bangladesh and Singapore to advancing a multifaceted partnership, contributing to mutual prosperity and regional stability.
 
You need to first understand what kind of organization ASEAN is, then analyze exactly what Bangladesh needs, and finally express your opinions and comments.
ASEAN is a regional political organization of national alliance, not an economic organization.
ASEAN member countries usually communicate with other countries or organizations outside the region in the name of ASEAN as a whole.
ASEAN member countries are generally politically stable, do not interfere in each other's internal affairs, and generally remain neutral in the international situation. Therefore, there are basically no serious conflicts in the ASEAN region, and everyone is focusing on the economy. Some people mistakenly believe that ASEAN is an economic organization.

RCEP is an economic organization, and it is also the world's largest free trade zone.

Bangladesh should apply to join RCEP, not ASEAN.
the possibility Bangladesh joining ASEAN is below 0. probably less than Vietnam joins the EU. that makes no sense at all. and even if, ASSAN would implode in poverty, religious fanaticism, ethics, racial and other mess. ASEAN would become a dead fish in water.
 

Bangladesh is set to make a strong push for membership in the world’s largest free trade bloc as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman begins his first official foreign tour since taking office, with regional economic integration, labour migration and investment cooperation dominating the agenda of his visit to Malaysia.

Officials say Dhaka will use the visit to seek support from Malaysia and other Asean member states for Bangladesh’s bid to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and eventually join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a mega trade bloc that accounts for nearly one-third of global trade and economic output.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Malaysia on June 21-22 at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim before travelling to China for high-level bilateral talks and participation in the Summer Davos Forum.
 
IF BD can join RCEP, I think it's good for BD's development. Good, RCEP got the spoiler India out, everyone is happy now.
 

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