Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday said Bangladesh must never again become a "client state," describing the country's post-July diplomatic approach as one that puts "Bangladesh First" while safeguarding its sovereignty amid an increasingly complex global order.

Speaking as the chief guest at a programme marking the July Mass Uprising Day, he said one of the central achievements of the July movement was the determination to ensure that Bangladesh would no longer be dependent on or dictated by external powers.

Secretary (East & West) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam and Rector of the Foreign Service Academy Muhammad Abdul Muhith also spoke at the programme held at the Foreign Service Academy. A one-minute silence was observed at the beginning.

"One of the big things about the July movement is that we do not want to see Bangladesh as a client state," he said, referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's remarks made earlier at the inauguration of the July Memorial Museum.

He recalled being deeply shaken by reports of violence on August 1, 2024, and contacting the office of the United Nations Secretary-General, urging action over what he described as grave human rights violations.