Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has taken steps to turn policy dialogue into practical action plans in three strategically important areas: the renewal of the Ganges water-sharing agreement, regional electricity cooperation, and the development of Bangladesh’s cybersecurity industry.
The initiative, described as ‘engineering diplomacy’, seeks to bring engineering knowledge, evidence-based analysis and diplomatic engagement together when addressing complex national and regional challenges. Rather than limiting discussions to identifying problems or making broad policy recommendations, the framework focuses on determining which stakeholders need to be engaged, what information is required and which measures can realistically be pursued within the next 90 days.
A three-day event, the ‘Dhaka Engineering Diplomacy Workshop 2026’, was held in Dhaka from 25 to 27 August through a joint initiative of BUET’s Centre for Environmental and Resource Management (CERM) and Tufts University in the United States. Representatives from government institutions, universities, industry, civil society, development organisations and relevant professional groups took part. The workshop received initial support from the US National Science Foundation.
According to the organisers, the approach is designed to move beyond conventional consultations. It considers available evidence, institutional capacity, competing interests and practical constraints before identifying actions that could be implemented.
Ganges water talks to receive stronger technical backing
The renewal of the Ganges water-sharing agreement remains a major issue in Bangladesh’s cross-border water diplomacy. The workshop placed particular emphasis on strengthening the country’s negotiating position through reliable data and measurable indicators.
One proposal was to examine the possibility of establishing a minimum assured flow based on Bangladesh’s actual needs and clearly defined indicators. The participants also considered the longer-term possibility of increasing water availability through augmentation initiatives involving Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
Before such proposals can be pursued, however, Bangladesh needs a clearer assessment of its water requirements. This includes demand from agriculture, industry, ecosystems and communities, as well as changes in river flows over time. Determining the minimum flow required by Bangladesh at Farakka would also be central to developing a stronger evidence base.
For this reason, one of the priorities for the next 90 days is to consolidate research and data currently spread across different sources. The proposed work will also examine India’s potential negotiating position, helping Bangladesh prepare for future discussions with a more comprehensive technical assessment.
The approach reflects a broader recognition that water diplomacy is not solely a political or diplomatic matter. Hydrology, agricultural demand, environmental requirements and long-term changes in water availability can all influence the strength of a negotiating position.
Diversifying regional electricity connections
The workshop also explored ways of expanding Bangladesh’s regional energy cooperation while reducing dependence on a single cross-border electricity route.
Bangladesh already has significant electricity cooperation with India. Participants discussed whether alternative connections could be developed in the future, including the possibility of an eastern route through Myanmar and wider electricity cooperation among countries belonging to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
Such diversification would require both infrastructure and regulatory preparation. The 90-day action plan therefore includes a study of national electricity demand and information-sharing requirements, alongside proposals to align grid codes for cross-border electricity trading.
The workshop also highlighted the need to strengthen Bangladesh’s legal and procurement capabilities for negotiating and implementing international energy agreements. These institutional issues can be as important as physical transmission infrastructure when countries seek to expand regional electricity trade.
Building confidence in Bangladesh’s cybersecurity industry
Cybersecurity was the third major area addressed by the workshop. Participants identified a lack of confidence in locally developed technology products and start-ups, particularly where buyers need independent evidence of a product’s reliability and effectiveness.
One proposed response is to establish a collaborative platform linking banks, cybersecurity start-ups and universities. Such cooperation could allow local firms to test technologies in realistic environments while giving institutions a clearer basis for assessing their performance.
The participants also stressed the need for a credible assessment framework to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of locally developed cybersecurity products. Transparent evaluation standards could help reduce uncertainty among potential buyers and make it easier for promising domestic technologies to enter the market.
Another proposal involves creating ‘anchor partners’ among government agencies and large organisations. Their adoption of suitable local cybersecurity solutions could help create an initial market for domestic products and provide developers with practical feedback.
The broader objective is not simply to replace foreign technology. It is to create greater scope for Bangladeshi companies and researchers to develop cybersecurity solutions that respond to the country’s own technological and institutional requirements.
A six-stage model for policy problem-solving
At the heart of the engineering diplomacy initiative is an attempt to connect technical expertise with diplomacy and policymaking. The workshop followed a six-stage framework covering problem identification, analysis of circumstances and constraints, identification of decision pathways, determination of required processes and tools, measurement of outcomes, and assessment of implementation feasibility.
Participants were also encouraged to consider three central questions when examining complex issues: why the same information can produce different interpretations, where intervention could create the greatest change, and how solutions can be developed outside established structures.
This method is intended to make policy discussions more concrete. Instead of ending with a list of recommendations, each issue is examined in terms of evidence, stakeholders, institutional requirements and measurable outcomes.
BUET views the August workshop as a pilot initiative rather than a standalone exercise. Its longer-term ambition is to establish a permanent engineering diplomacy centre led by BUET for Bangladesh and the wider South Asian region.
The proposed centre would provide training, support applied research, organise annual workshops and offer policy and technical assistance to government bodies and industry.
The immediate test, however, will be whether the ideas developed during the workshop can move beyond discussion. The next 90 days will provide an early indication of that.
If the proposed measures on water management, electricity cooperation and cybersecurity can produce measurable progress, engineering diplomacy could develop into a distinctive model for linking technical expertise with Bangladesh’s policymaking and regional diplomatic priorities.
