[🇧🇩] How Does Bangladesh fit into Indo-Pacific Strategy?

[Old School]

How has Pakistan been balancing its relations with China and the USA? Today, Pakistan has gained a lot by being China's strategic partner and finds distinct advantage in retaining a fairly close relationship with the US. And the US, despite Pakistan's leanings toward China, considers Pakistan's role and cooperation valuable in the context of Afghanistan in particular and the region in general. Bangladesh has been following Pakistan's path with regards to its relations with China and the USA.

Pakistan is still under various US sanctions and has no declared role in the Indo-Pacific as opposed to Bangladesh. American Indo-Pacific policy is directed to contain China, where Pakistan has no role to play. Pakistan doesn't have to host Indian interests to balance India and China. Indians represent the US core policy in South Asia, where Pakistan has conflicting interests with the US on Afghanistan, Iran and India.
Therefore, Pakistan and Bangladesh are not following the same path.

 

[Vikings]

Becoming a US-sponsored security provider in the Indo-Pacific is never mutually compatible with this notion: - China is a Time Tested Friend and a Strategic Partner of Bangladesh. If Bengalis consider other people to be fools, they are just trying to bite more than they can chew in the name of a "balancing act." It is unrealistic to try to balance two mutually conflicting vertical poles. It is doubtful that they will realize the paradox here.
@Vikings How do you feel about this suicidal and unbalancing act? While the US forgives occasional traitors, the Chinese are unforgiving on that issue- ask Tareq Rehman's orthopedic physician. Is the Hasina government that much fool? I don't believe it.

@Old School bhai, you know much better than me , still I would like to add my thoughts!

Actually if BAL want to balance , they will be digging their own grave , hence I believe BAL won't cooperate with USA and will will keep supporting China!

BAL politics are matured unlike BNP! We already knew it from last 16 years experience!

BAL is in power by successfully rigging elections ( selection I call it) , and they will keep doing it.

If they are talking to usa , it's just a formality , and diplomacy. They are just providing lip services to usa and west!

One can't be friend with Pakistan and India same time , neither can be partner of usa and China at the same time!

Tareq Rahman already understood how beating from army taste like!

Many people are giving example of Pakistan! I would humbly ask them the question, that, did Pakistan maintain a balance between USA and Soviet? No right?

It was Pakistan who were directly responsible for fall of Soviet alongside USA and some other USA allies.

Now condition has been changed and USA targets China, hence China won't let USA present in the bay of Bengal!
They simply don't let USA and NATO to put blockade in malacca straight which is life line for Chinese trade via sea route with rest of the world!

My compatriots should read map and study geography properly instead of driven by emotions and propaganda that they are fed by authority!

Indo Pacific strategy is to block China and an attempt to take China down on it's knees by taming them!

Why China will allow others to do it? Our compatriots should also learn the history of ww2 properly and take lesson from it! We know what enemy can do to China !

We know that when Japan put hostile naval blockade in malacca strait, British and its allies keep supplies to China by air route through India!

Now it's USA and it's allies try to do the same , then what China will do? They are surrounded by hostile entity like Japan and South Korea who are actually puppets of USA! Maybe the Philippines too are USA puppet ( correct me please if I'm wrong about the Philippines) !

So the best strategy for China is to keep the bay of Bengal safe!

If USA can have a base in this area, specially in andaman , it will be a piece of cake for them to contain China!

So Bangladesh is the only country who can let USA set foot on this area.

And China knows it very well that if Bangladesh co-operates with USA , then India will take the chance to take down China as well, because they have dirty wet dream of becoming a super power!

So China will be surrounded by enemies!

So in the name of balance if Bangladesh ( I would say BAL) try to betray China, BAL also will be kicked out from Bangladeshi politics forever, like BNP!

People may think that there is no other option than BNP and BAL in Bangladesh, so China has to support BNP that time.

But it's deadly wrong and very limited and shallow thinking.

Through deep state , super powers very easily create other strong parties or a strong dictatorship in any weaker countries , specially in red zones.

So if BAL proven a traitor to China, China will choose another way to take care of them!

Perhaps Tareq and also his mother Khaleda zia know it lot better than their fanboys!

I wrote on this topic in old PDF , but it looks only you were agreed and no Bangladeshi paid any attention!

But whatever maybe the case , in the end no small countries are completely independent, other than some super powers!

So balancing drama will no longer work , hence Hasina won't do any suicidal act in the name of balancing!

BAL ( read Hasina) is very mature in politics and also very cunning !

Surey Hasina doesn't want to lose her throne in this old age and don't end up in jail like Khaleda zia!

She always learn from BNP's mistake and apply it for her!

Like caretaker govt was BAL and jamati concept! When in 15 February election khaleda declared that only mentally handicapped people are infats are neutral in true sense, and arrange 15 February election , she didn't survive a month! Because of hostile protest of BAL and jamatis ( not mentioning JP because they have no strong base at grassroot)

On the other hand, BAL applied the same method in 2014 and later on 7 January 2024 , where is BNP now to take Hasina down? BNP is nowhere to be found!

So yes BAL won't repeat the mistake of BNP, specialy when China is much strong than 2004!

As soon as our people understand, it's better for them!

BNP is now boycotting even regional elections! What they will achieve? Nothing other than providing lip services!

And next generation will not remember BNP!

Hasina surely don't want the same fate for her, so there is no option to balance between the arch enemies!

China is way more powerful and matured than Soviet and it's a country with one party rule and CAPITALISTIC economy!

Hence USA will keep business relations with them for their own benefits!

So i hope Haisna and deep state of Bangladesh know what to do !

 

[Bilal9]

‘Want Bangladesh to be a net security provider in the region’

The US wants Bangladesh to be a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific region as the country has made exponential progress since independence and demonstrated its capacity in helping the regional countries, said a US official.

www.thedailystar.net

'Want Bangladesh to be a net security provider in the region'
Says US political officer

View attachment 5430
Photo: Collected

The US wants Bangladesh to be a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific region as the country has made exponential progress since independence and demonstrated its capacity in helping the regional countries, said a US official.

It also wants to see Bangladesh as a prosperous country having the principles of democracy, good governance and human rights, which is why Washington has been speaking aloud on free elections and taken actions against Rab, he said.

Maxwell Martin, political officer at the US embassy in Dhaka, said this at a briefing on the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) and implications for Bangladesh at the embassy yesterday as IPS has renewed focus in the region including South Asia.

Martin said the US supported Bangladesh Armed Forces with training, capacity building and equipment in countering terrorism. Bangladesh also made exponential progress, supporting Myanmar during the cyclones last year, responding positively in sheltering the Rohingya and its contribution to the UN peacekeeping is notable.

"You have seen us become more open and vocal about the political situation in Bangladesh. This is part of the IPS. We are also engaged in multiple fronts that include economy, security and politics."

Martin said, "We thought our sanction against Rab was important for that unit to change their behavior in order for Bangladesh to uphold these principles."

The US embassy in Dhaka now has a labour attaché and trade representative, which means it is helping Bangladesh improve labour conditions as well as support policies that help attract more foreign investments, he said.

He said the IPS, which was released in February 2022, is often wrongly understood as an alliance and meant to counter China.

China launched its global strategic programme Belt and Road Initiative in 2013.

Martin said the IPS does not seek to become a military alliance against any country.

"Our vision is not about forcing countries to choose between the UN and other partner. It is about ensuring that the region is free and open so countries can freely make their own choices," he said.

Martin recognised that Bangladesh maintains a balanced foreign policy, having relations with countries be it China, India, Russia or the US.​

Martin is a Yahood name.

He works for the State Dept. but has zio agenda as well which is supported by his employer.

 

[Old School]

@Old School bhai, you know much better than me , still I would like to add my thoughts!

Actually if BAL want to balance , they will be digging their own grave , hence I believe BAL won't cooperate with USA and will will keep supporting China!

BAL politics are matured unlike BNP! We already knew it from last 16 years experience!

BAL is in power by successfully rigging elections ( selection I call it) , and they will keep doing it.

If they are talking to usa , it's just a formality , and diplomacy. They are just providing lip services to usa and west!

One can't be friend with Pakistan and India same time , neither can be partner of usa and China at the same time!

Tareq Rahman already understood how beating from army taste like!

Many people are giving example of Pakistan! I would humbly ask them the question, that, did Pakistan maintain a balance between USA and Soviet? No right?

It was Pakistan who were directly responsible for fall of Soviet alongside USA and some other USA allies.

Now condition has been changed and USA targets China, hence China won't let USA present in the bay of Bengal!
They simply don't let USA and NATO to put blockade in malacca straight which is life line for Chinese trade via sea route with rest of the world!

My compatriots should read geography properly instead of driven by emotions and propaganda that they are fed by authority!

Indo Pacific strategy is to block China and an attempt to take China down on it's knees by taming them!

Why China will allow others to do it? Our compatriots should also learn the history of ww2 properly and take lesson from it! We know what enemy can do to China !

We know that when Japan put hostile naval blockade in malacca strait, British and its allies keep supplies to China by air route through India!

Now it's USA and it's allies try to do the same , then what China will do? They are surrounded by hostile entity like Japan and South Korea who are actually puppets of USA! Maybe the Philippines too are USA puppet ( correct me please if I'm wrong about the Philippines) !

So the best strategy for China is to keep the bay of Bengal safe!

If USA can have a base in this area, specially in andaman , it will be a piece of cake for them to contain China!

So Bangladesh is the only country who can let USA set foot on this area.

And China knows it very well thay if Bangladesh Co operate with USA , then India will take the chance to take down China as well, because they have dirty wet dream of becoming a super power!

So China will be surrounded by enemies!

So in the name of balance if Bangladesh ( I would say BAL) try to betray China, BAL also will be kicked out from Bangladeshi politics forever, like BNP!

People may think that there is no other option than BNP and BAL in Bangladesh, so China have to support BNP that time.

But it's deadly wrong and very limited and shallow thinking.

Through deep state , super powers very easily create other strong parties or a strong dictatorship in any weaker countries , specially in red zones.

So if BAL proven a traitor to China, China will choose another way to take care of them!

Perhaps Tareq and also his mother Khaleda zia know it lot better than their fanboys!

I wrote on this topic in old PDF , but it looks only you were agreed and no Bangladeshi paid any attention!

But whatever maybe the case , in the end no small countries are completely independent, other than some super powers!

So balancing drama will no longer work , hence Hasina won't do any suicidal act in the name of balancing!

BAL ( rear Hasina) is very matured in politics and also very cunning !

Surey Hasina doesn't want to lose her thrown in this old age and don't end up in jail like Khaleda zia!

She always learn from BNP's mistake and apply it for her!

Like caretaker govt was BAL and jamati concept! When in 15 February election khaleda declared that only mentally handicapped people are infats are neutral in true sense, and arrange 15 February election , she didn't survive a month! Because of hostile protest of BAL and jamatis ( not mentioning JP because they have no strong base at grassroot)

On the other hand, BAL applied the same method in 2014 and later on 7 January 2024 , where is BNP now to take Hasina down? BNP is nowhere to be found!

So yes BAL won't repeat the mistake of BNP, specialy when China is much strong than 2004!

As soon as our people understand, it's better for them!

BNP is now boycotting even regional elections! What they will achieve? Nothing other than providing lip services!

And next generation will not remember BNP!

Hasina surely don't want the same fate for her, so there is no option to balance betweenteo arch enemies!

China is way more powerful and matured than Soviet and it's a country with one party rule and CAPITALISTIC economy!

Hence USA will keep business relations with them for their own benefits!

So i hope Haisna and deep state of Bangladesh know what to do !

You have accurately described the dynamics. Thank you. I hope your compatriots will read your valuable insights, which are far better than even a BD diplomat can ever describe!

 

[Saif]

Due to Bangladesh's strategic geographic location both China and the USA want Bangladesh to be friends with them. Bangladesh has been successfully balancing its relationship with China and the USA since the 70s. Bangladesh needs China to counter India---the greatest threat to our sovereignty and territorial integrity. China has been fulfilling our military needs by supplying cheap weapons and training. Our armed forces buy 70% of their weapons from China. China as a permanent member of UN security council has been supporting us in various international forums. So, China is an indispensable part of our strategic interest. We, simply cannot do without China. We have joined Belt and Road Initiative to deepen our relationship with China. On the other hand, the USA is our largest economic market and the loans we get from IMF and World Bank are also US money. Our economic development largely depends on the USA and its European allies. This is precisely why we have joined Indo-Pacific Strategy. When it comes to the US led Indo-Pacific Strategy Dhaka says it is with the initiative for its development goals but not as a military or defense alliance. I think Bangladesh is doing great in the area of balancing its ties with the two largest superpowers, China and the USA, of the world.

 

[Saif]

Martin is a Yahood name.

He works for the State Dept. but has zio agenda as well which is supported by his employer.

US foreign secretary Antony Blinken is also a Jewish.

 

[Bilal9]

US foreign secretary Antony Blinken is also a Jewish.

Correct. Majority of Biden's administration are from that group, though one cannot say all are Zio.

 

[Saif]

ভূ-রাজনীতিতে গুরুত্ব পাচ্ছে বাংলাদেশ: বাড়ছে নানা সমীকরণ

অর্থনৈতিক বিকাশ, রাজনৈতিক পরিপক্বতা, ভৌগোলিক অবস্থানের কারণে গুরুত্ব বাড়ছে বাংলাদেশের। বঙ্গোপসাগর তথা বৃহত্তর ইন্দো-প্যাসিফিক অঞ্চলে একটি উদীয়মান শক্তি হিসেবে আবির্ভূত হয়েছে বাংলাদেশ। আবার এ অঞ্চলের তিনটি বৃহৎ শক্তির সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশের সমীকরণ এবং ওই তিন বৃহৎ শক্তির নিজেদের...

www.banglatribune.com

ভূ-রাজনীতিতে গুরুত্ব পাচ্ছে বাংলাদেশ: বাড়ছে নানা সমীকরণ
শেখ শাহরিয়ার জামান
১৬ জুন ২০২৩, ২২:০১

বাংলাদেশের পতাকা (ছবি: সংগৃহীত)

অর্থনৈতিক বিকাশ, রাজনৈতিক পরিপক্বতা, ভৌগোলিক অবস্থানের কারণে গুরুত্ব বাড়ছে বাংলাদেশের। বঙ্গোপসাগর তথা বৃহত্তর ইন্দো-প্যাসিফিক অঞ্চলে একটি উদীয়মান শক্তি হিসেবে আবির্ভূত হয়েছে বাংলাদেশ। আবার এ অঞ্চলের তিনটি বৃহৎ শক্তির সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশের সমীকরণ এবং ওই তিন বৃহৎ শক্তির নিজেদের মধ্যকার জটিল সমীকরণের মাঝখানে রয়েছে বাংলাদেশ।

ভারতের সঙ্গে ঐতিহাসিক ও বিশেষ সম্পর্ক, যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের সঙ্গে অধিকারভিত্তিক ইস্যুতে অস্বস্তিকর সম্পর্ক এবং চীনের সঙ্গে ক্রমবর্ধমান অর্থনৈতিক ও কৌশলগত সম্পর্ক রয়েছে বাংলাদেশের। এ প্রেক্ষাপটে বাংলাদেশে আসন্ন আগামী নির্বাচনকে কেন্দ্র করে তিন বৃহৎ শক্তির অবস্থান জনসম্মুখে ক্রমাগত প্রকাশিত হচ্ছে।

গত বুধবার (১৪ জুন) যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের বিষয়ে শেখ হাসিনার নেওয়া অবস্থানকে সমর্থন জানিয়ে মন্তব্য করা হয় চীনের পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয় থেকে। আবার একই দিন ভারত ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের ন্যাশনাল সিকিউরিটি অ্যাডভাইজরদের মধ্যে দিল্লির বৈঠকে বাংলাদেশ বিষয়ে ভারতের স্বার্থবিরোধী কোনও পদক্ষেপ না নেওয়ার জন্য ওয়াশিংটনকে অনুরোধ জানানো হয়। গোটা বিষয়টি বিবেচনায় নিলে বিশেষজ্ঞদের মতে বৈশ্বিক ভূ-রাজনীতির একটি থিয়েটারে পরিণত হয়েছে বাংলাদেশ।

এ বিষয়ে বাংলাদেশের সাবেক পররাষ্ট্র সচিব ও দিল্লি ইউনিভার্সিটির বঙ্গবন্ধু চেয়ার মো. শহীদুল হক বলেন, 'কূটনীতিতে কৌশলগত পদক্ষেপ (স্ট্র্যাটেজিক মুভ) এবং এর পাল্টা পদক্ষেপ খুব স্বাভাবিক ঘটনা। চীনের পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ের বক্তব্য এবং ভারত ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের ন্যাশনাল সিকিউরিটি অ্যাডভাইজরদের মধ্যে বাংলাদেশ নিয়ে আলোচনার বিষয়টি যা পত্রিকায় প্রকাশিত হয়েছে– এটি স্বাভাবিক কূটনৈতিক পদক্ষেপ বলে মনে হয়।'

বঙ্গোপসাগর অঞ্চলে বৃহৎ শক্তিগুলো তাদের প্রভাব বলয় বাড়াতে চায় এবং একইসঙ্গে এখানে ক্ষমতার মধ্যে ভারসাম্য ও সমন্বয় থাকাটা অত্যন্ত জরুরি বলে মনে করেন সাবেক পররাষ্ট্র সচিব। তিনি বলেন, 'বঙ্গোপসাগরে বাংলাদেশের গুরুত্ব বাড়ছে এবং এখানে বিচক্ষণতার সঙ্গে পররাষ্ট্রনীতি বাস্তবায়ন প্রয়োজন। পরিবর্তিত পরিস্থিতিতে ভারসাম্য রেখেই বাংলাদেশকে এগোতে হবে।'

সাবেক এই পররাষ্ট্র সচিব বলেন, 'এখানে মনে রাখতে হবে কূটনীতি স্থবির নয়, বরং ক্রমাগত পরিবর্তনশীল। যেকোনও সম্পর্ক ভূ-রাজনৈতিক প্রেক্ষাপটে নতুন মাত্রা পায় এবং এটিই স্বাভাবিক। এই বাস্তবতায় বাংলাদেশের পররাষ্ট্রনীতি পরিচালিত হওয়া উচিত।'

আঞ্চলিক ভারসাম্য

দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার সবচেয়ে বড় দেশ ভারত। এ অঞ্চলে বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের মধ্যে ঐতিহাসিক ও সাংস্কৃতিক সম্পর্ক বিদ্যমান। এ অঞ্চলের বর্তমান ভূ-রাজনৈতিক পরিস্থিতিতে বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের গভীর সম্পর্কের আলোকে বিবেচনা করা দরকার। এ কথা উল্লেখ করে মো. শহীদুল হক বলেন, '১৯৭২ সালে কলকাতায় বঙ্গবন্ধু নিজেই বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের সম্পর্ক কী সেটির সংজ্ঞা দিয়ে গেছেন। তিনি বলেছিলেন, বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের মধ্যে সম্পর্ক ইটারনাল এবং বিশেষ সম্পর্ক। এটি সবসময়, সব বিষয় ও সর্বক্ষেত্রের জন্য। আমরা এখন যেটি দেখছি সেটিকে ওই সম্পর্কের প্রতিফলন বলা যায়।'

তিনি বলেন, এখানে একটি বিষয় লক্ষণীয়। ভারতে কংগ্রেস সরকার বা বিজেপি সরকার যেই থাকুক না কেন, বাংলাদেশ নিয়ে তাদের সবার মধ্যে ঐকমত্য রয়েছে এবং এর পরিবর্তন হয় না। এ কারণে বিভিন্ন সময়ে, বিশেষ করে গত ১৫ বছর ধরে ভারতের সমর্থন পেয়ে আসছে বাংলাদেশ।

ত্রিমুখী সম্পর্ক

বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের মধ্যে সম্পর্ক অত্যন্ত মধুর। আবার ভারত ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের মধ্যে সম্পর্ক অত্যন্ত গভীর। কিন্তু ভারতের দুই বন্ধু– বাংলাদেশ ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের মধ্যে কিছু বিষয় নিয়ে অস্বস্তি রয়েছে, যা প্রকাশ্যে বলা হচ্ছে। এ বিষয়ে দিল্লিতে পররাষ্ট্রনীতির বিশেষজ্ঞ ও বিজেপির ঘনিষ্ঠ পর্যবেক্ষক শুভ্রকমল দত্ত মনে করেন, বাংলাদেশ ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের মধ্যে বহুমাত্রিক সম্পর্কটি একান্তই দ্বিপক্ষীয়। কিন্তু ভূ-রাজনীতিতে দ্বিপক্ষীয় সম্পর্কের প্রভাব অন্য দেশের ওপর পড়তে পারে।

তিনি বলেন, আমার মতে ভারত চায় না বাংলাদেশ ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের দ্বিপক্ষীয় সম্পর্কের কোনও প্রভাব তাদের ওপর পড়ুক। ভারত উভয় দেশের বন্ধু এবং তাদের এ বিষয়ে একটি দায়িত্ববোধ আছে। যদি দিল্লির পক্ষে সম্ভব হয় তবে অবশ্যই বন্ধুদের মধ্যে দূরত্ব কমানোর জন্য তাদের একটি চেষ্টা থাকবে।

নিরাপত্তা সমস্যা নিয়ে ভারতের যে উদ্বেগ ছিল সেটি সমাধানে এগিয়ে এসেছে বাংলাদেশ এবং বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের শীর্ষ নেতৃত্ব অর্থাৎ শেখ হাসিনা ও নরেন্দ্র মোদির মধ্যে সম্পর্ক ভিন্নমাত্রার। তাদের মধ্যে চমৎকার বোঝাপড়া আছে। ফলে এক দেশের সমস্যা অন্য দেশে অনুভূত হবে বলে প্রতীয়মান হয় বলে তিনি জানান।

শিগগিরই ভারতের প্রধানমন্ত্রী নরেন্দ্র মোদি ওয়াশিংটন সফর করবেন জানিয়ে শুভ্রকমল দত্ত বলেন, আমার ধারণা যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে বিভিন্ন আলোচনার মধ্যে দক্ষিণ এশিয়ায় স্থিতিশীলতা এবং বৃহত্তর ইন্দো-প্যাসিফিক নিয়ে আলোচনার সুযোগ আছে। সেখানে বাংলাদেশ নিয়ে ভারতের প্রধানমন্ত্রী কিছু বললে সেটি হবে একটি স্বাভাবিক ঘটনা।​