Bangladesh-China relationship: a bridge connecting China with India
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Shah Muhammad Sultan Uddin Iqbal
For its part Bangladesh has always considered China to be a friend which has consistently stood by this country in meeting its various needs. Chinese diplomatic help was considered to be particularly helpful during the maritime boundary stand off between Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is really important to mention here that, on the point of Bangladesh-Chinese relationship the main two political party leaders of Bangladesh, ruling Awami League and the main opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in unique display of strategic farsightedness have unanimously given their consent to the two strategic decisions of linking Bangladesh and East Asia, following the overall Pan Asian concept, with land and sea i.e. the Sonadia deep sea port of Bangladesh and Kunming, Myanmar and Bangladesh link road. Their uniqueness of unanimity also lies in the fact that, they are unanimous in pursuing a 'Look East' policy with China's help and cooperation.
Relation with Myanmar -- A new dimension in Offing: Bangladesh shares a 193 kilometer border with Myanmar, thus having direct land connectivity with ASEAN. During the past 37 years of diplomatic relations both the countries could not generate enough economic activities. Few irritants are impediment to the good relationship between these two nations. Of late, the ice has started melting; Myanmar has shown its willingness to take back some 9,000 Rohinga refugees. Recently, after negotiation with Bangladesh, Myanmar has accepted Bangladesh's principle on demarcating sea boundaries between the two nations. Meanwhile, some of the Myanmar companies conducted feasibility study of exporting Bangladesh 600 MW electricity. It's definitely a welcome sign. Bangladesh is planning to produce additional 10,000 MW of electricity in the next five years. In another development Bangladesh has taken decision to build 128 km railway line linking Gundum, a Bangladeshi border town, linking with Trans Asian Railway (TAR-1) running through Myanmar. Bangladesh and Myanmar should at this hour snatch all opportunities and go for generating more economic activities and take more and more CBM measures. The ASEAN way of approach encompassing, amongst other things, non-confrontational, consensual, incremental and non interventionist ways to resolve regional conflicts can also be taken as guidelines.
The Kunming, Myanmar and Bangladesh road would provide connectivity for more economic activities. The deep sea port at Sonadia of Chittagong too, would also give Myanmar exploit the opportunity for rapid development of Arakan and Chin state, which are separated from main Myanmar area by Arakan-Yuma range. Moreover, Bangladesh and Myanmar can take other measures like going for joint agricultural production or building factories etc in that part of Myanmar. Bangladesh has the expertise and necessary manpower, Myanmar can provide land and other ancillary facilities for agricultural ventures. Should China come forward with economic assistance then, this would open up new horizon of cooperation.
Bangladesh and India: Forging a New Relationship
Geography dictates that destines of India and Bangladesh are inextricably intertwined. This makes Bangladesh a very special neighbour of India. Strategic importance of Bangladesh increased further after India embarked upon 'Look East Policy' to expand its economic and strategic linkages with the ASEAN region and beyond.
India and Bangladesh has the manpower, commonality of language history/culture, market demand, including many a thing common but so long did not have the will to act boldly and imaginatively. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's visit in Jan 2010 to India revealed that, both countries recognise great benefit in working closely. The PM's path breaking visit to India holds out promise of a paradigm shift. During her visit a number of decisions on improving rail and road connectivity between Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan; cross border crime and terrorism agreements; help in power sector, providing a loan of US$ I billion for infrastructural development, using of two Bangladeshi ports and making a new railway line to transship goods to NE part of India are few worthy of being mentioned. However, the loan disbursement terms and conditions have been met with criticisms from various corners. As such this needs to be carefully addressed.
India needs support from Bangladesh for progress of NE India. NE part of India is the ultimate gateway for implementing India's 'Look East' policy and 'Vision 2020'. India is expected to pump Rupees 20 trillion for generating a 9% growth of NE India. The North Eastern part of India being contagious through Bangladesh is a natural market for many Bangladeshi products and goods. It only needs a broader understanding on the Indian part, which we feel will make it easier for forging a close economic relationship between the two countries. The BIMSTEC forum can be a great boon for Bangladesh in drawing India closer. Bangladesh while integrating economically with the East Asia and the ASEAN can go step by step. The optimal success of India's economic integration requires Bangladesh's cooperation. Bangladesh can't and should not be kept away from the, larger Asian integration process. Apart from this, business communities of both the countries are also trying to forge greater economic cooperation.
In publicly articulating India's long term vision for a integrated Asia, from the Himalayas to the Pacific, Indian PM Man Mohan Singh has made it clear that India is conscious of this imperative. The need now is for practical steps to demonstrate that India is both sensitive and generous towards its neighbours. The 'Gujral Doctrine' too if implemented in its true spirit perhaps would perhaps had generated more activities for bringing both the two neighbours closer.
Issues of Soft Power: The role of civil society and culture in promoting inter state and inter region relationship is taking a new shape in this region. The 'Track -2' record of ASEAN is worthy of being mentioned here. The advance in IT (information technology) has given an opportunity to the rapidly evolving civil society keep in touch with each other irrespective of their location. Bangladesh has a good presence of working force in many of the ASEAN countries. Interaction between Bangladeshi people and people to people orientation of the ASEAN countries is forging ahead with country to country relation. Bangladesh is a member of ARF, BIMSTEC and BCIM is taking initiative for the implementation of regional mechanism of APT. Moreover, maritime security is of vital importance to Bangladesh and other Asian countries. Bangladesh is trying to settle her maritime issues amicably. The worldwide cooperation in keeping a free sea lane is gaining momentum. In areas of nontraditional security such as terrorism too Bangladesh has made great stride. Bangladesh's strong stand against all form of terrorism has been acclaimed by all peace loving people.
ASEAN and Bangladesh: Bangladesh has made a constructive step in exploring its Eastern horizon, namely it's southeast and East Asian neighbours. As part of reorientation of economic and foreign policy, Bangladesh adopted 'Look East Policy', to engage with the countries of the East (ASEAN+3) to increase trade and investment relations with them.
Geographical proximity with ASEAN countries having land boundary with Myanmar gives Bangladesh a wider scope of carrying out economic activities and mutual cooperation with them. The thirteen nations (ASEAN plus three) have achieved a higher degree of economic development in the last three decades- and experts believe that these countries will continue to attain such economic performance in the next foreseeable future too. It is assumed that Bangladesh's cooperation with these countries will boost Bangladesh's economic performance by opening up market for various types of Bangladeshi goods. Presently, the trade imbalance is in ASEAN favour, Bangladesh has to work hard with the ASEAN countries and go for some type of arrangement to offset this trade imbalance. Bangladesh performance in BIMSTEC, India and China's help (through forums like BICM) can be a great boon for the economic development of this part of the world.
In pursuance of Bangladesh's 'Look East Policy' the Sino-Bangladesh relationship has for long time been the focus of foreign policy attention. Southeast Asia and its regional organisation, ASEAN provided a very useful and constructive platform for countries like Bangladesh. Bangladesh's inclusion in the ARF amply justifies the same. However, we feel that, this doesn't justify the concept of putting SAARC in the backbench of South Asian class. Bangladesh is a rising democracy having one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Its position in many of the key world forums along with its active contribution in many global events has brought Bangladesh to position what we see today. This aspect of Bangladesh's standpoint has been recognised by China and also other super powers and countries, which was reaffirmed during the visit of Chinese Vice President. The Bangladesh-China relationship is a new model of partnership in the sense that it is not been designed as a 'counterpoise', or a traditional balance of power arrangement in search of an equilibrium, or even a tilt against another power, as the ChinaPakistan relationship vis a vis India. Rather in this case, Bangladesh is happy to be a conduit, or a bridge connecting China to India.
Bangladesh government is also going for a paradigm shift in its relations with two of its neighbours specially India. The 'Look East' Policy of India will be implemented effectively once Bangladesh is taken into confidence with making of the deep sea port at Sonadia of Chittagong. This can handle the voluminous economic activity that the Indian NE states will generate in order to materialise Indian vision-2020. The Kunming initiative and the spirit of BCIM forum would definitely add impetus to this effort. Also if the idea of BCIM takes off, this 'quadrilateralism' could have enormous positive ramifications for lessening tensions and also serve as a model for other part of Asia on how to draw China into a collaborative relationship. This would be inline with what Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who suggested recently - a new kind of "Asian Regional Architecture", more fluid then others elsewhere such as the European Union, and "Many Overlapping Layers and Mechanisms. A new impetus for forging good relationship with Myanmar is also in the offing. The various economic initiatives of strategic importance will definitely bring Myanmar to the friendship fold of Bangladesh. All of us aspire that the menace of poverty will be eradicated from us for ever.
The Bangladesh PM also did visit South Korea and Malaysia as a part of Bangladesh foreign policy implementation of, 'Look East'. In today's world nothing matters more then economic aspect. Pan-Asianisin can truly give us the real insight to this strategic aspect. Engagement in regional cooperation with East Asia would allow the Bangladesh government to exploit the functional preference of global capital for regional markets. Bangladesh's policy makers should be aware of the potential of regionalism as a magnet for FDI once they realize that foreign investors are registering strong interest in and are actually investing in regionalist projects established elsewhere. This is the contagion explanation of regionalism highlighted by Ravenhill. Once implemented the theme of this summit will find pillar of its roof for 'Pan-Asian Bridgehead Strategy' towards ASEAN finding the needed strength.
Brig Gen Shah Muhammad Sultan Uddin Iqbal BP, ndu, psc (retd) is former chairman of SAARC Meteorological Centre (SMRC)
For its part Bangladesh has always considered China to be a friend which has consistently stood by this country in meeting its various needs. Chinese diplomatic help was considered to be particularly helpful during the maritime boundary stand off between Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is really important to mention here that, on the point of Bangladesh-Chinese relationship the main two political party leaders of Bangladesh, ruling Awami League and the main opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in unique display of strategic farsightedness have unanimously given their consent to the two strategic decisions of linking Bangladesh and East Asia, following the overall Pan Asian concept, with land and sea i.e. the Sonadia deep sea port of Bangladesh and Kunming, Myanmar and Bangladesh link road. Their uniqueness of unanimity also lies in the fact that, they are unanimous in pursuing a 'Look East' policy with China's help and cooperation.
Relation with Myanmar -- A new dimension in Offing: Bangladesh shares a 193 kilometer border with Myanmar, thus having direct land connectivity with ASEAN. During the past 37 years of diplomatic relations both the countries could not generate enough economic activities. Few irritants are impediment to the good relationship between these two nations. Of late, the ice has started melting; Myanmar has shown its willingness to take back some 9,000 Rohinga refugees. Recently, after negotiation with Bangladesh, Myanmar has accepted Bangladesh's principle on demarcating sea boundaries between the two nations. Meanwhile, some of the Myanmar companies conducted feasibility study of exporting Bangladesh 600 MW electricity. It's definitely a welcome sign. Bangladesh is planning to produce additional 10,000 MW of electricity in the next five years. In another development Bangladesh has taken decision to build 128 km railway line linking Gundum, a Bangladeshi border town, linking with Trans Asian Railway (TAR-1) running through Myanmar. Bangladesh and Myanmar should at this hour snatch all opportunities and go for generating more economic activities and take more and more CBM measures. The ASEAN way of approach encompassing, amongst other things, non-confrontational, consensual, incremental and non interventionist ways to resolve regional conflicts can also be taken as guidelines.
The Kunming, Myanmar and Bangladesh road would provide connectivity for more economic activities. The deep sea port at Sonadia of Chittagong too, would also give Myanmar exploit the opportunity for rapid development of Arakan and Chin state, which are separated from main Myanmar area by Arakan-Yuma range. Moreover, Bangladesh and Myanmar can take other measures like going for joint agricultural production or building factories etc in that part of Myanmar. Bangladesh has the expertise and necessary manpower, Myanmar can provide land and other ancillary facilities for agricultural ventures. Should China come forward with economic assistance then, this would open up new horizon of cooperation.
Bangladesh and India: Forging a New Relationship
Geography dictates that destines of India and Bangladesh are inextricably intertwined. This makes Bangladesh a very special neighbour of India. Strategic importance of Bangladesh increased further after India embarked upon 'Look East Policy' to expand its economic and strategic linkages with the ASEAN region and beyond.
India and Bangladesh has the manpower, commonality of language history/culture, market demand, including many a thing common but so long did not have the will to act boldly and imaginatively. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's visit in Jan 2010 to India revealed that, both countries recognise great benefit in working closely. The PM's path breaking visit to India holds out promise of a paradigm shift. During her visit a number of decisions on improving rail and road connectivity between Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan; cross border crime and terrorism agreements; help in power sector, providing a loan of US$ I billion for infrastructural development, using of two Bangladeshi ports and making a new railway line to transship goods to NE part of India are few worthy of being mentioned. However, the loan disbursement terms and conditions have been met with criticisms from various corners. As such this needs to be carefully addressed.
India needs support from Bangladesh for progress of NE India. NE part of India is the ultimate gateway for implementing India's 'Look East' policy and 'Vision 2020'. India is expected to pump Rupees 20 trillion for generating a 9% growth of NE India. The North Eastern part of India being contagious through Bangladesh is a natural market for many Bangladeshi products and goods. It only needs a broader understanding on the Indian part, which we feel will make it easier for forging a close economic relationship between the two countries. The BIMSTEC forum can be a great boon for Bangladesh in drawing India closer. Bangladesh while integrating economically with the East Asia and the ASEAN can go step by step. The optimal success of India's economic integration requires Bangladesh's cooperation. Bangladesh can't and should not be kept away from the, larger Asian integration process. Apart from this, business communities of both the countries are also trying to forge greater economic cooperation.
In publicly articulating India's long term vision for a integrated Asia, from the Himalayas to the Pacific, Indian PM Man Mohan Singh has made it clear that India is conscious of this imperative. The need now is for practical steps to demonstrate that India is both sensitive and generous towards its neighbours. The 'Gujral Doctrine' too if implemented in its true spirit perhaps would perhaps had generated more activities for bringing both the two neighbours closer.
Issues of Soft Power: The role of civil society and culture in promoting inter state and inter region relationship is taking a new shape in this region. The 'Track -2' record of ASEAN is worthy of being mentioned here. The advance in IT (information technology) has given an opportunity to the rapidly evolving civil society keep in touch with each other irrespective of their location. Bangladesh has a good presence of working force in many of the ASEAN countries. Interaction between Bangladeshi people and people to people orientation of the ASEAN countries is forging ahead with country to country relation. Bangladesh is a member of ARF, BIMSTEC and BCIM is taking initiative for the implementation of regional mechanism of APT. Moreover, maritime security is of vital importance to Bangladesh and other Asian countries. Bangladesh is trying to settle her maritime issues amicably. The worldwide cooperation in keeping a free sea lane is gaining momentum. In areas of nontraditional security such as terrorism too Bangladesh has made great stride. Bangladesh's strong stand against all form of terrorism has been acclaimed by all peace loving people.
ASEAN and Bangladesh: Bangladesh has made a constructive step in exploring its Eastern horizon, namely it's southeast and East Asian neighbours. As part of reorientation of economic and foreign policy, Bangladesh adopted 'Look East Policy', to engage with the countries of the East (ASEAN+3) to increase trade and investment relations with them.
Geographical proximity with ASEAN countries having land boundary with Myanmar gives Bangladesh a wider scope of carrying out economic activities and mutual cooperation with them. The thirteen nations (ASEAN plus three) have achieved a higher degree of economic development in the last three decades- and experts believe that these countries will continue to attain such economic performance in the next foreseeable future too. It is assumed that Bangladesh's cooperation with these countries will boost Bangladesh's economic performance by opening up market for various types of Bangladeshi goods. Presently, the trade imbalance is in ASEAN favour, Bangladesh has to work hard with the ASEAN countries and go for some type of arrangement to offset this trade imbalance. Bangladesh performance in BIMSTEC, India and China's help (through forums like BICM) can be a great boon for the economic development of this part of the world.
In pursuance of Bangladesh's 'Look East Policy' the Sino-Bangladesh relationship has for long time been the focus of foreign policy attention. Southeast Asia and its regional organisation, ASEAN provided a very useful and constructive platform for countries like Bangladesh. Bangladesh's inclusion in the ARF amply justifies the same. However, we feel that, this doesn't justify the concept of putting SAARC in the backbench of South Asian class. Bangladesh is a rising democracy having one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Its position in many of the key world forums along with its active contribution in many global events has brought Bangladesh to position what we see today. This aspect of Bangladesh's standpoint has been recognised by China and also other super powers and countries, which was reaffirmed during the visit of Chinese Vice President. The Bangladesh-China relationship is a new model of partnership in the sense that it is not been designed as a 'counterpoise', or a traditional balance of power arrangement in search of an equilibrium, or even a tilt against another power, as the ChinaPakistan relationship vis a vis India. Rather in this case, Bangladesh is happy to be a conduit, or a bridge connecting China to India.
Bangladesh government is also going for a paradigm shift in its relations with two of its neighbours specially India. The 'Look East' Policy of India will be implemented effectively once Bangladesh is taken into confidence with making of the deep sea port at Sonadia of Chittagong. This can handle the voluminous economic activity that the Indian NE states will generate in order to materialise Indian vision-2020. The Kunming initiative and the spirit of BCIM forum would definitely add impetus to this effort. Also if the idea of BCIM takes off, this 'quadrilateralism' could have enormous positive ramifications for lessening tensions and also serve as a model for other part of Asia on how to draw China into a collaborative relationship. This would be inline with what Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who suggested recently - a new kind of "Asian Regional Architecture", more fluid then others elsewhere such as the European Union, and "Many Overlapping Layers and Mechanisms. A new impetus for forging good relationship with Myanmar is also in the offing. The various economic initiatives of strategic importance will definitely bring Myanmar to the friendship fold of Bangladesh. All of us aspire that the menace of poverty will be eradicated from us for ever.
The Bangladesh PM also did visit South Korea and Malaysia as a part of Bangladesh foreign policy implementation of, 'Look East'. In today's world nothing matters more then economic aspect. Pan-Asianisin can truly give us the real insight to this strategic aspect. Engagement in regional cooperation with East Asia would allow the Bangladesh government to exploit the functional preference of global capital for regional markets. Bangladesh's policy makers should be aware of the potential of regionalism as a magnet for FDI once they realize that foreign investors are registering strong interest in and are actually investing in regionalist projects established elsewhere. This is the contagion explanation of regionalism highlighted by Ravenhill. Once implemented the theme of this summit will find pillar of its roof for 'Pan-Asian Bridgehead Strategy' towards ASEAN finding the needed strength.
Brig Gen Shah Muhammad Sultan Uddin Iqbal BP, ndu, psc (retd) is former chairman of SAARC Meteorological Centre (SMRC)