DHAKA, Oct 11: Bangladesh softened its position on the route of the proposed Asian Highway as the government realized non-ratification of the inter-governmental agreement for joining the highway would affect its ‘look east’ policy.

A foreign ministry letter sent to the communications ministry this week recommended that Bangladesh should ratify the agreement and initiate negotiations on a route favourable for Bangladesh to join the 32-nation highway.

The proposed highway will link some 140,000 kilometres of road network from Tokyo to Ankara.

The foreign ministry officials said the foreign secretary, Hemayetuddin, in a letter to the communications secretary, Shafiqul Islam, favoured ratification of the agreement considering the importance of the road network in trade and commerce and relations with neighbouring countries.

“Bangladesh may face isolation if we do not link us with the proposed road network. Joining the route will help Bangladesh to strengthen its ‘look east’ policy, especially its relation with China,” said the foreign ministry letter.

The communications ministry officials said after receiving the letter, the ministry has decided to hold an inter-ministerial meeting on October 20 to finalize a summary for approval.