Protecting Sovereignty: Addressing Foreign Interference through NGOs

Every sovereign nation has the right and the responsibility to protect its constitutional order, national security and democratic institutions from unlawful foreign interference.

Throughout history, foreign powers have often sought to influence the internal affairs of other countries not only through military or economic means, but also through information operations, covert financing, political influence, cyber activities and the cultivation of local networks.

Bangladesh, because of its strategic location in the Bay of Bengal, its growing economy and its geopolitical importance in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, is naturally an area of interest for multiple external actors. It is, therefore, reasonable for the state to remain vigilant regarding any individual, organisation or network that may be working on behalf of foreign interests in violation of Bangladeshi law. 

History offers many examples of foreign interference around the world. During the Cold War, intelligence agencies from competing powers funded political groups, media outlets, student organisations and influence campaigns across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

More recently, concerns over foreign interference have expanded beyond traditional espionage to include cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, election interference, strategic investments and influence through social media platforms.

Against such risk, many countries, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and several European nations, have strengthened legal frameworks requiring greater transparency regarding foreign funding, lobbying and political influence, aiming to distinguish legitimate international cooperation from covert foreign interference. Bangladesh has also established legal and institutional mechanisms to regulate foreign-funded activities. The NGO Affairs Bureau oversees organisations receiving foreign donations, while the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Act, 2016 requires registration, approval of foreign-funded projects, financial reporting, auditing, and government oversight of foreign donations for voluntary activities. The law also provides mechanisms for action where organisations are found to have violated legal requirements or engaged in unlawful activities. 

The challenge, therefore, is not foreign funding itself, but whether any organisation or individual, regardless of funding source, is acting transparently, lawfully and in the national interest. Foreign funding should never become a license for covert political activity, unlawful interference, dissemination of deliberate misinformation, financing of violence or attempts to undermine constitutional institutions. Equally, legitimate criticism of public policy, independent research, humanitarian assistance, or advocacy conducted within the law should not automatically be equated with activities against the state. In recent years, information has become a strategic weapon. Disinformation campaigns, manipulated narratives, coordinated online influence operations and artificial amplification through digital platforms can rapidly polarise societies. These methods are increasingly used worldwide by both state and non-state actors to shape public opinion, deepen political divisions and weaken public confidence in institutions. Bangladesh, with its large and highly connected digital population, is not immune to these evolving threats.

This evolving security environment places significant responsibilities upon the country’s intelligence agencies, law enforcement organisations, financial regulators, cyber security institutions and relevant ministries. Their role extends far beyond responding to traditional security threats. They must develop the capacity to detect and prevent increasingly sophisticated forms of foreign interference, including illicit financial flows, cyber intrusions, coordinated disinformation campaigns, influence operations, economic espionage and attempts to manipulate public opinion or undermine confidence in state institutions. At the same time, they must ensure that legitimate civil society activities, academic research, humanitarian assistance, responsible journalism and lawful political participation are not mistakenly viewed as security threats. 

Professional intelligence work should always be intelligence-led, evidence-based and firmly rooted in the rule of law. Effective investigations require meticulous analysis of intelligence, financial tracing, digital forensics, cyber monitoring and information gathered from multiple lawful sources. Advanced analytical tools, including artificial intelligence, big data analysis and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), can significantly enhance the ability to identify suspicious patterns, detect coordinated networks and anticipate emerging threats before they are materialised. Equally important is close coordination among intelligence agencies, financial intelligence units, cyber security authorities, border security organisations and regulatory bodies, ensuring that fragmented pieces of information are combined to produce a comprehensive assessment of potential risks. Where credible evidence suggests criminal conduct, such as espionage, money laundering, terrorism financing, unlawful foreign interference, cybercrime or other offences against the state, investigations conducted impartially and professionally, with appropriate judicial oversight and full respect for constitutional safeguards.

Financial transparency should remain a priority. Organisations receiving foreign grants should maintain accurate accounts, disclose funding sources as required by law, submit to independent audits, and ensure that all expenditures correspond to approved activities. Bangladesh already requires significant oversight of foreign-funded NGOs through the NGO Affairs Bureau, including project approval, reporting, monitoring and inspection mechanisms. National resilience also requires stronger institutional capacity. Universities, think tanks, media organisations and civil society should invest in factchecking, research integrity, cybersecurity awareness and media literacy. Citizens who can distinguish verified information from manipulation become the country’s first line of defence against influence operations.

Political parties likewise bear an important responsibility. National security should never become a partisan issue. All political actors should reject unlawful foreign interference irrespective of which country or organisation may be involved. Sovereignty is best protected when there is broad national consensus that Bangladesh’s political future must be determined solely by its own citizens through constitutional and democratic processes.

The media also has a critical role. Responsible investigative journalism can expose corruption, illicit financing and unlawful foreign influence where credible evidence exists. At the same time, journalists have a professional obligation to verify allegations carefully before publication, avoiding speculation that may unfairly damage reputations or inflame political tensions.

If there is credible evidence that any individual or organisation, whether foreign-funded or domestically funded, has violated Bangladeshi law, the authorities concerned should investigate thoroughly, impartially and professionally. Where sufficient evidence exists, legal action should follow in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. Equally important, organisations and individuals acting lawfully for humanitarian, educational, research or development purposes should be able to continue their legitimate work without unwarranted suspicion. Protecting national security and protecting the rule of law are complementary responsibilities, and Bangladesh’s future depends upon maintaining both with equal commitment.