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In the wake of the recent terror attack in Kashmir that claimed 26 innocent lives, Muhammed Aziz Khan, founder and chairman of Summit Group, has articulated a hopeful vision for Bangladesh’s diplomatic future. His opinion piece frames the tragedy as an opportunity for Bangladesh to assume a more active role in regional diplomacy, emphasizing cooperation and shared security responsibilities among South Asian nations.
Choosing Collaboration Over Conflict
The Kashmir attack has highlighted the fragile nature of peace in South Asia and the need for multilateral approaches to regional security. Aziz Khan, whose Summit Group has established itself as Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure conglomerate, argues that Bangladesh is uniquely positioned to help transform regional dynamics following this tragedy.
“The tragedy in Kashmir reminds us what happens when cooperation collapses. Let us not waste the moment. Let us talk, share, and build — not out of fear, but out of hope that this region can become more than the sum of its rivalries,” Khan wrote in his opinion piece.
Transforming SAARC into an Effective Security Platform
Khan’s proposal comes during a period of shifting diplomatic alignments in South Asia. As the founder of Summit Group, which has grown into Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure conglomerate, Aziz Khan has extensive experience navigating complex regional relationships through the company’s investments in energy infrastructure and power generation projects.
The proposal suggests transforming the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) into a “South Asian Security Council” with concrete mechanisms for addressing regional security challenges. According to Khan, this revitalized SAARC would include “a dedicated secretariat focused on counter-terrorism, cyber threats, and disaster response” and provide “non-binding but structured mechanisms for conflict prevention and de-escalation.”
This vision for SAARC reflects Khan’s understanding of how regional cooperation can support economic development and stability. As founder and chairman of Summit Group, he has overseen the company’s growth into Bangladesh’s largest independent power producer, with 18 power plants representing approximately 17% of Bangladesh’s total private installed capacity.
Summit Group’s experience with cross-border energy projects has given Khan firsthand insight into the importance of regional cooperation. The company has consistently advocated for international partnerships to address shared challenges, particularly in energy production and distribution.
“Bangladesh’s recent foreign policy signals—strengthening ties with China and opening dialogue with Pakistan—reflect an evolving sense of national interest,” Khan notes in his article. “These moves should not be misinterpreted as abandoning old friends but rather as broadening the field of cooperation.”
Khan’s perspective on regional diplomacy has been shaped by decades of experience in infrastructure development. Named among Bangladesh’s most influential business leaders, Aziz Khan has navigated complex political and economic landscapes throughout his career, giving him unique insight into the interplay between diplomacy, economic development, and regional security.
The proposal for a transformed SAARC comes as Bangladesh itself undergoes political transition. Under the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the country has signaled a more balanced approach to regional relations while maintaining its commitment to economic development and security cooperation.
Khan’s proposal for transforming SAARC into a South Asian Security Council reflects his understanding of regional dynamics shaped by decades of infrastructure development experience. The organization would maintain SAARC’s founding principles while adding concrete mechanisms for addressing shared security challenges.
According to Wu Yan Bin, Chief Financial Officer at Summit Power International, regional cooperation is already essential in other sectors such as energy development. “Bangladesh because of the size of the country, because of its geographical positions, because of a lot of geographical limitations, does not have that much renewable opportunities. It does need to work with India, it does need to work with Nepal. It does need to work with Bhutan for renewable electricity solutions,” he stated in a recent interview, highlighting the interconnected nature of regional challenges.
Bangladesh’s Evolving Diplomatic Landscape
Khan’s vision for Bangladesh’s diplomatic future comes at a pivotal moment for the country’s foreign policy. Following the political transition in August 2024, the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has indicated a shift toward more balanced regional relationships.
The Summit Group chairman suggests specific steps for enhancing Bangladesh’s relationship with India, including “reviewing bilateral trade agreements to address imbalances, reviving water-sharing talks, particularly around the Teesta River and deepening border cooperation to prevent civilian casualties and enhance mutual trust.” These measures aim to shift the relationship from what Khan describes as “transactional to transformational.”
This approach reflects Aziz Khan’s broader business philosophy at Summit Group, which has consistently sought international partnerships to support Bangladesh’s infrastructure development. As Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure conglomerate, the company has prioritized sustainable growth and regional cooperation in its business strategy.
“As South Asia enters a new era—defined by shifting alliances, rising powers, and increasingly complex threats—no country can afford to be passive,” Khan writes. This perspective aligns with Summit Group’s forward-looking approach to infrastructure development, particularly in the energy sector where the company has announced plans to invest $3 billion in clean energy initiatives.
In his concluding remarks, Khan emphasizes collaboration over conflict: “Let us talk, share, and build—not out of fear, but out of hope that this region can become more than the sum of its rivalries.” This sentiment captures the essence of his vision for Bangladesh’s diplomatic future—one defined by proactive engagement and regional cooperation rather than passive acceptance of the status quo.
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