Emmanuel Macron defended his “third way in the Indo-Pacific” during a visit to Bangladesh, where he discussed a potential commitment from a Bangladeshi company to purchase ten A350 planes from Airbus. Speaking alongside Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Macron expressed gratitude for the country’s trust in European aviation and highlighted the significance of the commitment to Airbus. Both parties are reportedly working to finalize a contract between local airline Biman and Airbus, which would be a breakthrough considering Biman’s history of exclusively purchasing American Boeing planes. The contract, if finalized, would be worth over $3.2 billion.
Beyond the commercial negotiations, Macron emphasized his desire to build a new chapter in the relationship between France and Bangladesh. He highlighted the shared commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, and human rights, stating that sustainable development cannot exist without these principles. Macron also stressed the importance of maintaining strategic autonomy and sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific region, positioning France as a proponent of sustainable alternatives.
The Indo-Pacific, encompassing the Indian and Pacific Oceans, has seen increasing tension between the United States and China. France, with its overseas territories, aims to expand its presence in the region alongside regional partners. Macron also expressed a desire to strengthen cultural exchanges, cooperation in the space sector, and support Bangladesh in adapting to rising sea levels and extreme climate events, to which the country is particularly vulnerable.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked France for its confidence in Bangladesh’s economic progress and its support for its policy of sovereign independence, especially in the context of persistent geopolitical instability.
