[🇧🇩] The U.S.A.---A Strategic Partner of Bangladesh

[Saif]

Bangladesh-US ties to deepen​

Says Hasan Mahmud about US official’s visit

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said yesterday that the US official Afreen Akhter's visit will deepen and broaden ties between Bangladesh and the US.

He made the remarks when a journalist wanted to know about the upcoming visit of US Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Afreen Akhter, who is scheduled to be in Dhaka on Saturday.

The foreign minister also said the letter sent by US President Joe Biden to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is important to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

"The visit of the US official will deepen and broaden the relationship between the two countries."

This is going to be the first visit by any US official after the January 7 election.

Apart from bilateral issues and other areas of mutual interest, including economic growth and development, the Rohingya issue may also come up for discussion, according to a diplomatic source.

Afreen visited Bangladesh before the national election.

She is likely to meet senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At a media briefing on February 14, she said, "We have a tremendous amount of work ongoing developing free media in Bangladesh, working with civil society, and working with labour organisers across the spectrum to build up these institutions of democracy that will enable Bangladesh to become more democratic over the longer term."

Afreen visited Dhaka and Cox's Bazar on October 16-17 last year and met with senior government officials, civil society members, Rohingya refugees, and representatives from humanitarian organisations.

FM Hasan Mahmud also told reporters that the United States' veto against a draft UN Security Council resolution, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, is disappointing.

The resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian Gaza Strip was presented to the UN Security Council (UNSC) by Algeria. It was voted on last Tuesday.
Of the UNSC's 15 member states, 13 voted in favour of the resolution. Another permanent member, the United Kingdom, abstained from voting, while the US vetoed it.​

 

[Saif]

Why does Bangladesh matter to the United States?

In the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, the United States tilted towards Pakistan. However, within four months of its independence, the United States recognised Bangladesh and gradually developed good relations in every dimension, from trade to security. Bangladesh and the United States ha

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Why does Bangladesh matter to the United States?​

DR. MD. SHARIFUL ISLAM

Published :​

Jun 07, 2023 13:53

Updated :​

Jun 07, 2023 13:55

In the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, the United States tilted towards Pakistan. However, within four months of its independence, the United States recognised Bangladesh and gradually developed good relations in every dimension, from trade to security.

Bangladesh and the United States have also commenced Annual Partnership Dialogue, which is crucial in deepening Dhaka-Washington ties.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter recently said Bangladesh has been an important strategic partner. Akhter also mentioned that the United States looks forward to a stronger relationship in the next 50 years.

According to the US State Department (2023), 'Bangladesh is an important regional partner on economic, climate, humanitarian, and security priorities'. Against this backdrop, this write-up focuses on why Bangladesh matters to the United States.

Bangladesh's geo-strategic importance

The geo-strategic location of Bangladesh makes it an important country for the United States in the context of the growing geopolitical rivalry and considering the geopolitical shift from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific region and notably South Asia. In the competing geopolitical connectivity projects, Bangladesh has become an important country.

To understand the growing geo-strategic importance to the United States, it becomes necessary to look at several important policy documents.

Bangladesh's geo-strategic importance was reflected in the 2012 Fact Sheet of US Relations with Bangladesh, prepared for the US Department of State. It has also been claimed that Bangladesh is a key US strategic partner in South Asia' (USDS, 2012).

Former American Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena (2013) observed that Bangladesh is a country that matters a lot to America and to the world.

In addition, in a letter to members of Congress in May 2013, Dan Mozena warned, "Good relations with Bangladesh are vital to regional security and United States strategic interests."

The geo-strategic importance of Bangladesh was also reflected in a 2010 Congressional Research Service report titled - 'Bangladesh: Political and Strategic Developments and US Interests.' It argued that Bangladesh is a nation of strategic importance not only to the South Asian sub-region but to the larger geopolitical dynamics of Asia.

Bangladesh has played, and will likely continue to play, a role in the shifting regional balance of power between India and China. In the policy document, Bangladesh's geo-strategic location and its importance were also highlighted: Bangladesh is situated at the northern extreme of the Bay of Bengal and could potentially be a state of increasing interest in the evolving strategic dynamics between India and China.

This importance could be accentuated by the development of Bangladesh's energy reserves and regional energy and trade routes to China and India. Hence, Bangladesh is of interest to the United States for its role in the larger geopolitical dynamics of South Asia.

Economic interests

From the US perspective, economic interests stand out as the single dominant factor in its relations with Bangladesh, which is evident from a listing of foreign policy objectives published by the State Department in 1976.

Notably, on that list, four out of five foreign policy objectives of the United States in Bangladesh were directly or indirectly related to the economic interests of the US.

Although it was the 1976 US foreign policy objectives, to date, it remains the same as the Congressional Report 2010 testified the same while pointing out that American interests with Bangladesh include promoting development, trade, energy, democracy support, countering militant Islamists, and working together in peace operations.

President Obama had also emphasised how economically important Bangladesh's market is to the prosperity of the American people. US firms recognise the country's potential and are eager to do business. In fact, one can argue that trade and investment are two key economic interests of the US in Bangladesh.

Security issues

Nurturing a warm relationship with Bangladesh also serves the security interest of the United States. The policy paper Bangladesh: Political and Strategic Developments and US Interests identified that Bangladesh and the United States have a common interest in countering extremism and their ideology.

According to the US Department of State, Bangladesh's efforts at development, countering violent extremism, assisting international peacekeeping, and improving regional connectivity are vital to regional and global stability.

In addition, in the United States's Country Reports on Terrorism 2011 and Country Reports on Terrorism 2012, Bangladesh's cooperation with the United States in combating transnational terrorist groups was acknowledged.

Bangladeshis in the US

The Bangladeshi diaspora in the United States contributes significantly to the latter's socio-economic development. According to the data from Pew Research, the Bangladeshi population living in the United States was 57,000 in 2000, which increased to 208,000 in 2019.

Bangladeshi diaspore is better educated than the locals in some ways. For instance, according to Pew Research, 26 per cent of the Bangladeshi population attained Bachelor's degree in 2019, while 20 per cent of Americans attained the degree.

Similarly, while 23 per cent Bangladeshi population completed post-graduate degrees, only 13 per cent of Americans attained post-graduate degrees.

These educated Bangladeshi people contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the United States. In addition, the Bangladeshi diaspora also adds a rich Bengali culture to the American culture.

Demographics

Bangladesh matters to the United States because the country is the fourth-largest Muslim country and the eighth-largest populated country in the world. Bangladesh is popularly known as a moderate, democratic, peaceful Muslim nation that promotes international peace and security, international justice, etc.

While in the post-9/11 era, many Muslim countries hated the United States because of its war on terror policy, Bangladesh maintained good relations. Thus, maintaining a good relationship with Bangladesh also serves the strategic interest of the United States to the wider Muslim world.

Dr Md. Shariful Islam is an Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Rajshahi. He is also an adjunct research fellow at the KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs, Dhaka.​

 

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Challenges in Bangladesh-US relations

US’ push for democracy and human rights has definitely angered the Bangladesh government.

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Challenges in Bangladesh-US relations​

Visual: Star

On March 26, 2023, US President Joe Biden greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of Bangladesh's Independence Day. Biden also reminded Hasina to hold free and fair elections in December 2023. "As Bangladesh approaches its next election, I am reminded of the deep value both of our nations' people place on democracy, equality, respect for human rights, and free and fair elections," he said.

The United States has placed a strong emphasis on human rights and democracy in its foreign relations. The promotion of these values has been a key part of US foreign policy, and has been pursued through a variety of means, including diplomatic efforts, economic incentives and sanctions, and military intervention in some cases – even though its relations with some authoritarian states put question marks on its declared policy of upholding democracy and human rights. The US under the Biden Presidency has also been focusing on these two values to deal with Bangladesh, which was partially absent during the Trump administration.
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Since 2014, Bangladesh has been grappling with the challenges of upholding democratic values and human rights, which have been exacerbated in recent times. The two most recent elections, which were held under the Awami League government in 2014 and 2018, were heavily criticised by the international community, with widespread human rights violations occurring during this period. The regime has employed various means to suppress dissent, including the Digital Security Act (DSA).

The United States and Bangladesh have had diplomatic relations since 1972. The US has become one of Bangladesh's largest trading partners, with over $8 billion in bilateral trade in 2021, and has provided development assistance in areas such as education, health, and economic growth. The US and Bangladesh also work together to combat terrorism and promote regional stability through joint military exercises and training for Bangladesh's security forces.

The US-Bangladesh relationship has had some tensions due to human rights concerns. The US has criticised Bangladesh's government for cracking down on political opposition, and limiting freedom of speech and assembly. The US has imposed sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) for violating human rights. The US human rights reports of 2021 and 2022 have highlighted issues of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, political marginalisation, and election rigging. As a result, Bangladesh was not invited to the Biden Democracy Summit, signalling a shift in US policy towards Bangladesh.

US' push for democracy and human rights has definitely angered the Bangladesh government. Its bottled rage has bubbled up in various ways. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina considers US sanctions on Russia as a form of human rights violations. "I don't really know what rationale there is for making people suffer like this. In a way, this is another violation of human rights. Depriving people of what they are owed… I hope the US sees the necessity of stepping aside from that decision [of putting Russia under sanctions]. We hope they prefer to punish a single country instead of the people of the world and see that everyone wants it withdrawn." Recently, Hasina commented in the parliament that, "It (US) has the power to topple the government in any country and particularly the Muslim countries."

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque blamed the US for not recognising the genocide against Bangladesh in 1971. He said that the United States has recognised the genocide of the Rohingya in Myanmar. But it did not recognise the genocide that took place in Bangladesh, because it had direct involvement in it. At that time, the governments of the US and UK were not in favour of our Liberation War. But the people of those countries and the world were on our side.

That said, Bangladesh's apathy towards the US is quite clear. Meanwhile, China and Russia have extended their hands with "baskets of money", while Bangladesh is facing serious economic crises. Geopolitical interests for both US and China-Russia are well noted in the Indo-Pacific region.

The US invited Bangladesh to join the Quad in October 2020, citing the country as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region, and later invited it to the US-led IPS (Indo-Pacific Strategy). China responded by warning that Bangladesh's relations with China would be harmed if it joined the Quad, while also offering Bangladesh the chance to join its Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative. The US and Russia have also engaged in a war of words over Bangladesh, with the Russian Foreign Ministry accusing the US ambassador in Dhaka of trying to influence the domestic process of the country, and the Russian Embassy in Dhaka criticising countries with "hegemonic ambitions" that interfere in the internal affairs of others under the pretext of protecting democratic values.

The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict has resulted in a surge of high-level visits from China and the United States to Bangladesh, highlighting Bangladesh's growing importance in the Indo-Pacific region. This geopolitical reality is crucial for Bangladesh's future trajectory. For the first time, Bangladesh has articulated its distinct objectives in the Indo-Pacific region, aligning with the conceptual framework advocated by India, the US, Japan, and Australia. While Bangladesh has traditionally pursued a non-aligned foreign policy, recent developments suggest a potential shift towards aligning more closely with the IPS promoted by the United States and its regional allies. However, it remains to be seen how China and Russia will react to this shift and how Bangladesh will navigate its relationships with them.

It is unclear how successful Bangladesh's "pleasing all" strategy has been. An agreement has been reached between Bangladesh and Russia to use the Chinese yuan to pay for a nuclear power plant, but the United States has raised objections to this arrangement. Amid this situation, Bangladesh is attempting to manage the US through other Quad members like India and Japan. On April 26, 2023, under the agreement for the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports for the transportation of goods to and from India, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) released a standing order pertaining to the transhipment of Indian goods. During her visit to Japan in April 2023, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that, "We are happy that Bangladesh and Japan have successfully elevated the bilateral relations to a 'Strategic Partnership' from the existing 'Comprehensive Partnership'."

It appears that the relationship between the United States and Bangladesh is going through some strain. Bangladesh is endeavouring to handle its relations with the US in the lead-up to the next election. Navigating this dynamic geopolitical situation will require astute diplomatic strategies and judicious decision-making on Bangladesh's part. While attempting to maintain relationships with China, Russia, and the US, Bangladesh will also need to prioritise human rights and democratic principles, particularly in the context of potentially embracing the IPS.

Shafi Md Mostofa (PhD) is associate professor of World Religions and Culture at Dhaka University's Faculty of Arts and an adjunct lecturer at the University of New England, Australia.​

 

[Saif]

Current Trends and Future Prospects in Bangladesh-US Relations - Australian Institute of International Affairs

Since US recognition of Bangladesh’s independence in 1972, the trajectory of the relationship has witnessed a consistent upward trend. In 2022, both countries celebrated the auspicious event of 50 years bilateral relations.

www.internationalaffairs.org.au

Current Trends and Future Prospects in Bangladesh-US Relations​

02 FEB 2023
By Shafiqul Elahi

Since US recognition of Bangladesh’s independence in 1972, the trajectory of the relationship has witnessed a consistent upward trend. In 2022, both countries celebrated the auspicious event of 50 years bilateral relations.

For the last two decades, the US focused its attention mostly toward the Middle East. Hence, it had a limited focus on South Asia. However, with the 2018 revival of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and the subsequent development of the Indo-Pacific concept, the US has renewed its focus on South Asia and has emerged as one of the crucial actors in the region.

Current Trends

Bangladesh and the US have always shared favourable relations, however US sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion, a special forces security unit, in December 2021 surprised many and immediately took over the narrative in Dhaka.

What is important at this juncture was that leaders in Dhaka responded, perhaps counterintuitively, by bolstering diplomatic relations with Washington. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu praised Bangladesh for its “tremendous progress” in this regard.

Regular diplomatic communications and state-level visits are increasingly taking place. In the last two years, 18 mid- and high-level visits have occurred. Foreign Minister Abul Kalam Abdul Momen met with his counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in 2022. Further visits to the US have included seven Bangladeshi delegations, with eleven US delegations visiting in return, including the latest visit by Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher and Assistant Secretary Lu.

Both countries share mutual interests in counterterrorism, climate change, Rohingya repatriation, and liberal values.

Additionally, authorities in Bangladesh and the US share the same views on Rohingya ethnic cleansing. On Ukraine, Bangladesh maintains a neutral political stance and complies with US sanctions. The recent events of the Ursa Major controversy can be mentioned in this regard. Ursa Major is a US-sanctioned ship that changed its name to Sparta-3 and carried goods for Bangladesh’s nuclear power plant but was not allowed to berth and was subsequently turned around by authorities.

Increasing cooperation among the countries can be easily identified through several dialogues and joint training programs that have taken place in the last two years. Bangladesh and the US held the Partnership Dialogue and Security Dialogue in 2022 after a pause due to the pandemic. The dialogues are annual arrangements between the countries and have taken place every year since 2012. The US Navy also attended Bangladesh’s International Fleet Review in December 2022.

Apart from this engagement, political dissatisfaction is also a part of the relations. The US is dissatisfied with the internal political situation of Bangladesh, while leaders in Dhaka also see such intervention as contradictory to diplomatic norms. The issue began when the US Mission in Dhaka gave statements that created a perception the US was supporting the opposition in politics. The government perceived this as meddling in internal affairs of the state – in contradiction of the Vienna Convention. However, it seems that through Lu’s latest visit, both countries have had the chance to share their perspectives through diplomatic communication, and the issue has largely abated.

On the economy, Bangladesh and the US share complex interdependence. Bilateral trade is growing fast, reaching US$13 billion in 2022. In 2021, it was $10.5 billion, and in 2020 it was $7.8 billion. Bangladesh also has a surplus of $7.78 billion. Such burgeoning trade has also made the US the third-largest trading partner for Bangladesh behind China and India. The US is also the single largest market for the country’s ready-made garment exports – the main export product worth $46.6 billion in 2022. The US is the largest investor in Bangladesh’s energy sector and the largest source of foreign direct investment more generally. Moreover, Bangladesh is also the third-largest recipient of US aid in South Asia.

During the pandemic, the US donated more than 100 million vaccine doses to Bangladesh, a number that accounts for more than 70 percent of all international COVID-19 vaccine donations. US vaccines played an instrumental role in Bangladesh’s national inoculation process.

This goodwill has translated into greater favourability ratings among the Bangladeshi people toward the US. While the last Pew Research in 2014 showed that 76 percent of Bangladeshis held a favourable view toward the US, this has likely increased since COVID-19. The historic people-to-people relationship began during the independence war, when US citizens collected funds for Bangladesh’s independence. Currently, more than 220,000 Bangladeshis lives in the US. This large diasporic community is contributing to both US society and economy.

Indicatively, America is very popular among the Bangladeshi people, particularly those who seek to pursue higher studies. The US offers several scholarship and skilled migration schemes for Bengladeshi applicants, including the popular Fulbright award. Immediately after the pandemic, more than 10,500 Bangladeshi students went to the US for education, the highest among the countries where Bangladeshis pursued higher studies.

Issues of Priority

In Washington, authorities want Bangladesh to align itself more with US principles on human rights and democracy.

For leaders in Bangladesh, the balancing act between seeking friendship while not giving into demands has been difficult. The sanctions against the RAB and its seven officials also came as a part of US human rights policy, and many see such efforts as a coercive method to have Dhaka join a US-led bloc against China. The US also wants to sign two defence agreements with Bangladesh, namely the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement, in its search to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region. Washington also wants Bangladesh to join in its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), which many see as aimed at countering China. This is difficult for leaders who want to balance economic interests with both China and the US. So far, Dhaka has not rejected these proposals, and it is currently “studying” the IPS.

Leaders in Bangladesh are keen to focus on US investment and bilateral trade. The suspended Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) is also on Bangladesh’s agenda. The GSP is an arrangement under which Bangladesh enjoys duty-free access to the US market. This arrangement ceased in 2013, though leaders in Dhaka are hopeful that it might begin again for them.

Future Prospects

As Bangladesh is a tiger economy with a good investment environment, there are strong prospects that bilateral trade and investment will increase in coming years. Bangladesh has identified information communications technology as its “thrust” sector and wants US investment to help it evolve. This will no doubt diversify US investment in Bangladesh.

Moreover, Bangladesh has accepted the draft of GSOMIA, meaning potential new sources for defense procurement from the US, benefitting Bangladesh’s Forces Goal-2030.

In summation, the individual sanctions have been limited, suggesting that recent disputes are short-term and not impactful. Beyond the disputes, both countries have mutual interests that are likely to increase in political and economic alignment. Diplomatic engagement and the deepening of relations can be helpful in this context. The reciprocal diplomatic visits over the last two years have been fruitful and have helped to transform the relationship. This should continue.

Shafiqul Elahi is a retired government official in Bangladesh, currently pursuing a career in academia. His first book, Institutional Development and Bangladesh, is forthcoming. Elahi often contributes to news and analysis portals including Modern Diplomacy, The Geopolitics, Newage, Daily Sun, Daily Observer, and Bangladesh Post.​

 

[Saif]

US supports a prosperous, democratic Bangladesh

Says US embassy in Dhaka after its delegation holds a series of meetings with govt officials, opposition and civil groups

www.thedailystar.net

US supports a prosperous, democratic Bangladesh​

Says US embassy in Dhaka after its delegation holds a series of meetings with govt officials, opposition and civil groups

The US supports a prosperous, secure, and democratic Bangladesh -- a message that the visiting US delegation communicated to Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today.

"We discussed with the Foreign Minister, how our two countries can work on mutual interests, including economic development, security, refugees, climate, labor, and trade," said US Embassy in a verified Facebook post after the delegation held meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at the foreign ministry.

"Bangladesh is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region," the embassy said.

US Special Assistant to President Biden, Eileen Loubacher led the delegation that also included USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer and State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter.

They arrived in Dhaka on Thursday on a three-day visit.

The delegation met Environment and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, BNP leaders Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Amir Khasru Mahmud, civil society leaders and labour leaders on Saturday and Sunday.

The US embassy said US is one of the largest investors in Bangladesh and its largest single country export market.

The United States stands ready to help Bangladesh create a business climate that attracts more investment from the US, the US embassy said.

On the meeting between the US delegation and Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the US embassy said Bangladesh is the 7th most vulnerable country to climate change and Washington will be supporting Bangladesh in tackling climate change challenges.

"From training students on protecting wetlands and sustaining forests, to equipping young climate activists with the resources to tackle air pollution, the United States is committed to working with Bangladesh to address the climate crisis."

They discussed the ways of working together to tackle this shared challenge.

Following the delegation's meeting with Salman F Rahman, the US embassy highlighted a longstanding partnership of over 50 years with the government and people of Bangladesh. During this time, the US has contributed over $8 billion to address various critical issues including public health, education, energy, environment, food security, and natural disasters, it said in a Facebook post.

"We look forward to working with Bangladesh to enhance economic investment over the next fifty years and beyond," it added.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told journalists that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has written a letter to US President Joe Biden.

A copy of the letter was handed over to President Biden's Special Assistant Eileen Loubacher today. The original letter will be handed over to the White House by Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Mohammad Imran.​

 

[Saif]

Saber sees scope for strengthening US-Bangladesh ties on climate issues

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today expressed confidence that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States will strengthen, driven by collaborative environmental and climate initiatives

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Saber sees scope for strengthening US-Bangladesh ties on climate issues​

Photo: PID

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today expressed confidence that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States will strengthen, driven by collaborative environmental and climate initiatives.

"These are priority areas for the United States. So, the United States wants to cooperate with us in programs to combat climate change," he said.

Saber said this to the media after Afreen Akhter, deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the US Department of State, held a meeting with him at his office at the Secretariat today, according to a press release. "We discussed their cooperation in addressing our environmental and climate change needs," he added.

"We want to establish a new platform by forming a fund of USD 15 billion to combat climate change. All our development partners can help there. I am optimistic that America will be too. They will keep our needs in mind in the US plan," he said.

"We discussed how Bangladesh-US relations can be further strengthened in the future," said the minister.

The discussions underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between the US and Bangladesh in addressing environmental challenges, tackling climate change, preserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable development, the release said.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to working together to address environmental challenges and ensure a sustainable benefit for present and future generations of the region, it said.

Ambassador of Bangladesh to the US Muhammad Imran, Helen LaFave, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Bangladesh; Michael Schiffer, assistant administrator for the Bureau for Asia at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) were present at the meeting, among others.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka, Washington eye new chapter in bilateral ties

Says Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud after meeting US delegation

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Dhaka, Washington eye new chapter in bilateral ties​

Says Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud after meeting US delegation

Photo: Facebook/US Embassy in Dhaka

Dhaka and Washington want to begin a new chapter in their bilateral relationship, said Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today after the first meeting with the visiting US delegation since the January 7 election.

"We're keen to initiate a new phase in our relationship. There's mutual willingness from both sides," he informed journalists at the foreign ministry.

Eileen Laubacher, special assistant to the US president and senior director at the US National Security Council, led a delegation to Bangladesh.

Other members of the delegation include US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter and USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer.

After the meeting, Laubacher told journalists: "We want to advance our relationship."

The US delegation yesterday met top BNP leaders and spoke about political situation in the country. They also talked about political repression including the jailing of thousands of opposition leaders.

The delegation also held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at the State Guest House Padma.

This morning, the US delegation also met a group of civil society members and spoke of human rights and democracy.
When asked whether election, democracy, and human rights issues were addressed with the US delegation, the foreign minister responded in the negative.

Hasan Mahmud said he requested the lifting of the sanctions imposed against Rab in 2021.

"The US officials shared with us five observations," he stated, without further elaboration.

Earlier, the US officials said the Rab needs to be reformed and those guilty should face accountability.

The meeting also discussed the issue of Myanmar crisis.

Hasan Mahmud said the Myanmar instability has created security concerns for Bangladesh and the region.

He did not say if the US side had any response to this.

The US has been supporting the Rohingyas for their humanitarian needs and will continue to do so, he said.

Besides, he said, the US and Bangladesh hold similar position on various international issues and they discussed those as well.​

 

[Saif]

Afreen meets Fakhrul, Khasru

The US delegation arrived in Dhaka on a three-day visit yesterday and held a meeting with BNP leaders on the current political landscape in the country.

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Afreen meets Fakhrul, Khasru​

US to work with Bangladesh on shared vision

Afreen Akhter, US Department of State deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, and Peter Haas, US ambassador to Bangladesh, exchange pleasantries with BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday. The US delegation, which is on a three-day visit to Dhaka, held a meeting with BNP leaders on the current political landscape in the country. Photo: Courtesy of US embassy Dhaka

The US delegation arrived in Dhaka on a three-day visit yesterday and held a meeting with BNP leaders on the current political landscape in the country.

They also spoke about the opposition members who are in prison.

Afreen Akhter, US Department of State deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, and Peter Haas, US ambassador to Bangladesh, were present, among others, at the meeting with BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Other members of the US delegation include Eileen Laubacher, special assistant to US President Joe Biden and also National Security Council's senior director for South Asia, and Michael Schiffer, assistant administrator for Asia at the USAID.

"Engaging in constructive dialogue is key to understanding different perspectives and finding common ground," US embassy wrote in X, formerly Twitter, with a photo.

"We welcomed a fruitful discussion with @bdbnp78 's Secretary General about the current political landscape in Bangladesh and the thousands of opposition members in prison. Looking forward to continued engagement," it said.

Meanwhile, apart from meeting the BNP leaders, Akhter also held a meeting with the labour rights activists and trade union leaders in Dhaka.

Schiffer joined USAID Mission Director in Bangladesh Reed Aeschliman and Shikho CEO Shahir Chowdhury to sign a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in building the job skills of Bangladeshi youth and unlocking employment opportunities.

Today, the delegation is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman and other officials of the ministries of foreign affairs, home, law and labour.

Eileen Laubacher is likely to focus on the Myanmar crisis, its implications on Bangladesh, the Rohingya issue, defence relations and the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).

In a statement, the US embassy yesterday said the US delegation during its visit will discuss ways to strengthen diplomatic ties, address challenges, and promote a shared vision for the advancement of mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

"The United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights, addressing climate change, advancing regional resilience to transnational threats, and promoting economic reforms," the statement said.​

 

[Saif]

It seems like the U.S.A. is putting more emphasis on Hasina's support for Indo-Pacific Strategy and lease of oil and gas wells in Bay of Bengal to some U.S. multinational companies than restoring democracy in Bangladesh. The U.S.A. has put Hasina's election engineering on the back burner.

Bangladesh, US look to patch up differences

After some strains over the past two years, Dhaka and Washington now want to begin a new chapter in the bilateral relationship -- a desire that was expressed by both during a US delegation’s three-day visit that ended yesterday.

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Bangladesh, US look to patch up differences​

Eileen Laubacher

After some strains over the past two years, Dhaka and Washington now want to begin a new chapter in the bilateral relationship -- a desire that was expressed by both during a US delegation's three-day visit that ended yesterday.

At the same time, the US delegation's multi level engagements, including with opposition BNP, labour leaders, and civil society members, in Dhaka also reflect that Washington is not leaving aside the values that it had been speaking of, said foreign policy analysts.​

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The visit by the US delegation was the first since the January 7 polls in Bangladesh.

The delegation was led by President Biden's Special Assistant and National Security Council's Senior Director Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher. It also included USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer and State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Afreen Akhter.

They held meetings with the Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, opposition BNP leaders Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury; labour leaders and members of the civil society.

The US' sanctions against RAB in December 2021, announcing an election-related visa policy in May last year and reiterating calls for free and fair elections caused some strains in its relationship with Bangladesh.

However, analysts said Washington now wants to take forward the multidimensional relationship with Dhaka, but will not bury its concerns on democracy, labour rights, good governance, civic space and media freedom. It will, however, maintain a low profile over the issues.

"The US is a major development partner of Bangladesh. It played a big role for Bangladesh's development over the last 52 years. We discussed how we can deepen and broaden our relationship and begin a new chapter," Hasan Mahmud said after meeting the delegation on Sunday.

He said the US also expressed its willingness to improve the relationship, which was communicated in President Biden's letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

During the meeting, a copy of Prime Minister's letter to Biden was also handed over to Laubacher. The original copy will reach the White House through the Bangladesh embassy in Washington.

Bangladesh exports products worth about $10 billion to the US, which has contributed over $8 billion to in development funding and is the largest foreign direct investor. It is the largest donor for Rohingyas' humanitarian assistance.

The US also assured support to Bangladesh in forming a new fund of $15 billion to combat climate change.

The US embassy in Dhaka termed Bangladesh an important partner to Washington in the Indo-Pacific region, adding that it supports a prosperous, secure, and democratic Bangladesh.

In a verified Facebook post, the embassy wrote, "We discussed how our two countries can work on mutual interests, including economic development, security, refugees, climate, labor, and trade."

Speaking to The Daily Star, M Humayun Kabir, president of Bangladesh Enterprise Institute and former ambassador to the US, said, "The US is eager to work with Bangladesh in a larger context including for economic development, environment, geostrategy, Rohingya crisis etc."

The US wants to understand Bangladesh's position on security and the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the status of labour rights, civic and political space.

"Their engagements with the relevant stakeholders mean that the US did not move away from its position, but is instead maintaining low-profile. They may not speak about everything in public but Dhaka needs to read their language and act accordingly."

Kabir added that Bangladesh's main priority is drawing foreign investment, which requires making it easier to do business here while improving governance and rule of law, and ensuring security of the businesses – aspects that US businesses want before investing.

During the meeting with Salman F Rahman, the US delegation spoke of funding Bangladesh through the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), but noted several conditions, which it would communicate in detail soon.

Earlier, USAID officials had said Dhaka needs to improve labour rights in order to access DFC funding.

Meanwhile, labour leaders said the US delegation, while meeting with them, spoke about making the registration of trade unions easier, reforming labour laws, and increasing wages.

On the other hand, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud discussed lifting the sanctions against RAB. In response, the delegation mentioned five observations, which the minister did not elaborate on.

Earlier, US officials said reforming RAB and holding the agency accountable are prerequisites for lifting the sanction.

Analysts consider Laubacher's visit significant, given the security concerns created by the Myanmar crisis.

Asked about Laubacher's response to Bangladesh's concerns, Salman F Rahman said the US is keeping watch on the Myanmar situation and also asked Bangladesh to do the same.

Asked, security expert Air Cdre (Retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury said it is good that Dhaka and Washington exchanged views on the Myanmar situation – something that Bangladesh also needs to do with India and China, though the countries have a difference of interests in Myanmar.

"Our position is to ensure stability in Myanmar and the Rohingya repatriation. Without that, doing business and connectivity with Myanmar will be challenging," he said.

Hasan Mahmud reiterated Bangladesh's steadfast position for peace and against any form of war and asked the US to use its leverage to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. He also expressed his hope for the Russia-Ukraine war to end.

The minister further requested Washington to extradite Bangabandhu's self-confessed killer Rashed Chowdhury from the US.​

 

[Saif]

US' messaging towards Bangladesh stressing on positivity, not pressure: Kugelman

The US has concluded that smooth relations with Bangladesh are a strategic imperative and its messaging in relation to the country is emphasising positivity and potential, not public pressure

www.thedailystar.net

US' messaging towards Bangladesh stressing on positivity, not pressure: Kugelman​

Michael Kugelman

The US has concluded that smooth relations with Bangladesh are a strategic imperative and its messaging in relation to the country is emphasising positivity and potential, not public pressure.

Michael Kugelman, director for South Asia Institute at the Washington-based Wilson Center, made this observation in the reputed American magazine "Foreign Policy" in its February 29 edition.

His comment comes after the first visit to Bangladesh by a US delegation since the country's 12th parliamentary polls on January 7.

The delegation comprised US National Security Council's Senior Director Eileen Laubacher, State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter and USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Schiffer.

Their discussions also focused on climate change, trade, the Rohingya refugee crisis, and labour rights. The delegation met with senior officials, business executives, civil society organisations, and top opposition leaders and the agenda included strengthening diplomatic ties and advancing shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

The visit came amid an apparent shift in bilateral relations, especially in terms of tone and messaging, as in the months ahead of the January 7 elections, the US took strong steps to promote human rights and democracy, including through sanctions, visa restrictions, and public criticism.

The State Department also characterised the voting as not being free or fair.

However, on February 6, US President Joe Biden sent a letter to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that welcomed the "next chapter" in the US-Bangladesh relationship. It did not mention rights or democracy.

"Geopolitical factors also play a role in the new US approach. The conflict in neighbouring Myanmar is intensifying, and Bangladesh hosts hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees but seeks to repatriate them. Washington wants to ensure that it has sufficient diplomatic space to engage with Dhaka on these sensitive issues," Kugelman wrote in the magazine.

Additionally, the foreign policy expert said with US foreign-policy attention increasingly focused on instability in the Middle East, the US wants to reduce diplomatic headaches elsewhere.

However, he said, the shift in US-Bangladesh relations isn't as sharp as it may seem. Despite tensions over the election, ties were already deepening, especially in the areas identified by Biden as priorities in his letter: trade, defence, climate change, and humanitarian issues.

"Furthermore, the focus on human rights and democracy will continue," Kugelman said referring to Afreen Akhter's meeting with opposition leaders and the discussion on "thousands of opposition members in prison".

Kugelman thinks Dhaka remains a test case for Washington's values-based foreign policy, but the experiment is now being conducted with less rigour.

"The relationship's tone and messaging are emphasising positivity and potential, not public pressure. Ultimately, this reflects that, for now, the United States has concluded that smooth relations with Bangladesh are a strategic imperative."

One of the possibilities for the US' turnaround is Washington's desire to distance itself from the highly charged political environment in Dhaka. The more US officials publicly opine about human rights and democracy in Bangladesh, the more they risk getting dragged into it, Michael Kugelman said.

Also, the repeated US public pressure on Bangladesh to hold free and fair elections emboldened both China and Russia, giving them pretexts to accuse the US of meddling in Bangladesh's domestic affairs.

That pressure also upset India, a key US partner that is closely aligned with Bangladesh's ruling party. The previous US approach effectively gave Beijing and Moscow an advantage in Dhaka and rankled New Delhi, he said.​

 

[Saif]

‘Vendetta against Yunus will impact US-BD partnership’

Breaking News, International News & Multimedia

thedailynewnation.com

‘Vendetta against Yunus will impact US-BD partnership’​

15 Mar 2024, 12:00 am0

Staff Reporter :

US Senator Dick Durbin, a prominent figure in the US Senate, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on the United States-Bangladesh partnership due to the ongoing vendetta against Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Senator Durbin took to his official Twitter handle after a discussion with Bangladesh Ambassador to the US, Mohammad Imran, to share his views.

“The US values its relationship with Bangladesh, and I appreciate its help to Rohingya refugees. But a failure to end the vendetta against Muhammad Yunus will negatively impact that partnership,” he stated in his tweet.

During the meeting, Senator Durbin directly addressed the government of Bangladesh, urging them to cease the harassment targeting the Nobel Laureate. “In my meeting with Ambassador Imran, I called for an end to the harassment of Prof. Yunus,” he emphasised.

Earlier in January twelve US Senators including Dick Durbin in a letter urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to halt a continuous harassment of Dr Yunus.

In the letter, they expressed concern about the misuse of law and judicial system against critics of the government in Bangladesh. The letter was published on Senator Dick Durbin’s website.

Earlier, just after the 12th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh, ‘even though several million people participated peacefully, the election and the pre-election process were marred by violence and intimidation from opposition parties,’ said the four American senators, one of whom was Dick Durbin.

The trial of Dr Yunus has been highly critical by the west including the United Nations.

The UN has directly said that they have been closely monitoring the case of Dr Yunus, a dear friend of the United Nations.

Meanwhile, the United States has also been talking about the Yunus issue and urged the government not to harass the economist.

Even on March 11, US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said that the US government has expressed concerns surrounding the cases against Dr Yunus.

“The U.S. Government’s concerns surrounding the cases against Muhammad Yunus, including that they could represent a potential misuse of Bangladesh’s laws to harass and intimidate Dr Yunus,” he said.

Even on several occasions the United Nations said that the UN is closely following the case of Dr Yunus, who is a dear friend of the UN throughout his career.​

 

[Saif]

What’s next for US policy in Bangladesh?

South Asia Institute Director Michael Kugelman offers his insights

www.thedailystar.net

What’s next for US policy in Bangladesh?​

South Asia Institute Director Michael Kugelman offers his insights

VISUAL: TEENI AND TUNI

When the US State Department declared, on January 8, that Bangladesh's elections the day before "were not free or fair," it was indirectly acknowledging a major policy setback.

For many months, the Biden administration used Bangladesh as a test case for its values-based foreign policy. It advocated tirelessly for greater respect for human rights, for democratic principles, and especially for free and fair elections. It deployed various tactics—relentless public messaging, meetings with political party leaders, written appeals for different political parties to work out differences, and sanctions and visa restrictions.

It's unclear why the administration chose to pursue its democracy agenda so robustly in Bangladesh (and it should be noted that this agenda was also pursued, albeit less emphatically, during the Trump administration). One reason may have been a strong expectation of success: unlike some other countries where the US has sought to promote democracy, Bangladesh does have a legacy of democratic institutions and achievements—meaning it shouldn't be as heavy a lift to advocate for something with a precedent. US officials have also been heartened by the reductions in RAB abuses since Washington sanctioned it in 2021.

But the State Department's assessment concedes its policy fell short. So why, despite all its efforts, was the election—in Washington's own view—marred by violence, crackdowns on the opposition, and irregularities?

Some would point to the limits of US leverage in foreign policy. Others would argue that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will never respond to pressure from a country against whom she has long harboured grudges, or that she wouldn't want to create the conditions for a possible BNP return to power, because of the retributive policies against her and other AL leaders that would surely follow. Still others would contend the US didn't go far enough, that it didn't sufficiently raise the costs for Dhaka—such as by imposing trade sanctions, which would have hit Bangladesh hard given its current economic struggles and deep dependence on the US as an export market.

The question now is what next for US policy? Will Washington deploy harsher tactics that it believes may better incentivise Bangladesh's government and broader political class to slam the brakes on a slide toward authoritarianism? Or will the US dial it down, and take a softer approach to democracy promotion? Alternately, will it jettison its values-based approach altogether and replace it with an interests-based lens? Or will it try for a middle ground that balances both approaches?

Washington's next moves will be shaped by two key considerations: Its assessment of the degree to which the AL hindered free and fair elections, and its future goals for its relationship with Bangladesh.

The administration will examine the extent of AL-perpetrated irregularities and election-related violence. How it evaluates the BNP boycott will also be critical. Will Washington put more weight on the boycott itself (which would emphasise the BNP's stubborn refusal to participate in an election not overseen by a neutral government), or on the broader factors that drove the boycott (especially the non-level playing field generated by the AL's relentless crackdowns on the BNP)? If more weight is given to the latter, there are higher chances of muscular US policy responses. The State Department has laid out additional signposts, calling on Dhaka "to credibly investigate reports of violence and hold perpetrators accountable. We also urge all political parties to reject violence." Washington will be watching on these fronts, too.

However, even if the administration renders the harshest possible judgement on AL complicity in an unfree and unfair election, that doesn't guarantee harsh US responses. And this gets to the matter of Washington's objectives for the broader US-Bangladesh relationship.

Amid all the attention on bilateral tensions over democracy and elections, it's easy to forget that US-Bangladesh relations have actually strengthened considerably in recent years. The US is the top destination for Bangladesh exports, and the biggest source of FDI in Bangladesh. In 2020, the two sides announced a new vision for boosting economic cooperation in areas ranging from tech collaborations and air travel to blue economy initiatives and energy security.

Commercial cooperation has been further energised by the launching of the US-Bangladesh Business Council, part of the US Chamber of Commerce, in 2021.

Additionally, over the last decade or so, US officials have started to invest in Bangladesh with more strategic significance. The origins of this shift may lie in the scholarship of influential American foreign policy analysts, most prominent among them Robert Kaplan, which highlights the importance of the Indian Ocean Region for US interests. In recent years, going back to the Trump era, Bangladesh has been emphasised in multiple Indo-Pacific strategy documents published by the Pentagon and State Department, with emphasis on potential for cooperation on counterterrorism, counter piracy, counternarcotics, and maritime issues.

Intensifying great power competition has made Bangladesh's strategic significance come into even sharper relief in Washington. Consider China's deepening influence in the Indian Ocean Region: Its military base in Djibouti, its ships' presence from the Bay of Bengal to the Andaman Sea, and of course its deepening ties with Dhaka and backing for Bangladesh's first submarine base. Meanwhile, witness Russia's intensifying engagement with Dhaka. Unsurprisingly, US officials now call Bangladesh a strategic partner.

Consequently, US-Bangladesh relations have been busy in recent years: High-level diplomatic engagements, military exercises, business leader delegation visits, and extensive US humanitarian assistance—from support for Rohingya refugees to pandemic assistance. Washington is the top supplier of humanitarian aid for the Rohingya crisis, and it has provided more COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh than to any other country.

Given this expanding partnership, Washington will want to avoid leaning too heavily on the tensions-prone values-based aspect of bilateral ties—because that risks damaging the relationship. It will likely look to balance the values- and interests-based dimensions of its relations with Dhaka.

But that will be a delicate balance.

Washington needs diplomatic space with Dhaka to try to push back against Chinese and Russian influence in Bangladesh. But that space shrinks if Bangladesh is pushed into a corner with tough trade sanctions. Previous punitive US tactics—visa restrictions, RAB sanctions, suspensions of GSP benefits—weren't as harmful to bilateral ties because those measures weren't as damaging for Bangladesh on the whole.

On the other hand, Bangladesh's democratic backsliding constrains efforts to expand cooperation. Dhaka's crackdowns on Internet freedom may deter prospective US tech investors. Bangladesh's poor labour rights record precludes the International Development Finance Corporation—Washington's main investment arm in the Indo-Pacific—from sponsoring infrastructure projects. And if Bangladesh's security forces ramp up abuses, America's Leahy law—which bans US assistance to foreign militaries implicated in serious human rights violations—could kick in, jeopardising deeper military cooperation.

In the coming weeks, expect a reoriented US focus away from elections and more toward promoting rights and democracy in Bangladesh more broadly—though more visa restrictions are possible for those that hindered free and fair polls. Meanwhile, the administration, impelled by commercial and strategic interests, will continue to push for deeper partnership.

Bangladesh will remain a test case for Washington's values-based foreign policy. But so long as it keeps bumping up against the relationship's strategic imperatives, the experiment could grow increasingly untenable in a world order where realpolitik so often prevails.

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Michael Kugelman is director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC.​

 

[Saif]

The Great Game will continue

The absence of democratic behaviour is no longer hidden under the carpet.

www.thedailystar.net

The Great Game will continue​

The pressing questions after the January 7 election are how the result and the electoral process will be considered by the international community and what impact it will have, if any, on the relationship with Bangladesh's external partners, especially the West. These questions have become important because of the series of events leading up to polling day and the low voter turnout.

The series of events since October 28 sent out the message that the ruling party had planned the election to ensure a victory. The absence of democratic behaviour is no longer hidden under the carpet. The persecution of leaders and activists of the opposition parties, especially the BNP, drew international attention and criticism. It was matched with other kinds of intrigue and machinations, such as fielding "dummy" candidates and using state apparatuses to ensure victory of the preferred candidates.

It was highlighted before the polling day that the goal of the incumbent Awami League was to draw a large number of voters to the polling stations. The party hoped that its supporters and supporters of the "independent" candidates would make up more than 50 percent of the voters. But January 7 showed how voters shied away from the polling booths. Then came events casting serious doubts about the turnout data. The Election Commission (EC) said around midday that the turnout was 18.5 percent, and around 3pm it was around 26 percent. But an hour later, as the polls closed, the official estimate was claimed to be 40 percent. That, too, was announced in a bizarre way. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, in a press briefing, said the turnout was about 28 percent, only to retract at the prodding of his colleagues and offered a new, higher number. However these numbers are presented in the future, their veracity will continue to dog the EC. Considering that the election was essentially uncontested, there was never any doubt about the victory of Sheikh Hasina and the AL, but the entire process has added further questions to her victory and the strength of her mandate.

As for the reactions of the international community, there was the predictable part—those who had already supported the incumbent have already sent congratulatory messages. These are India, China and Russia, along with a few other nations. The "unknown unknown" part of the equation was the reactions of Western nations. These countries insisted on a free, fair and inclusive election, but have remained remarkably silent since October 28. The US reaction, expectedly, stated that the January 7 election was not free or fair. In a similar fashion, the UK said that the standards of credible and fair competitions were not consistently met during the 12th parliamentary election. The West will continue to consider not only the stray incidents of ballot stuffing and violence on January 7, but also how the entire process unfolded contrary to its efforts.


The US faces a dilemma: whether to reassess its relationship with Bangladesh and act robustly, or sidestep for a foreseeable picture. A robust action will demonstrate that it is returning to its divergence with India. Will Western countries go about a business-as-usual engagement with the "new" government? Notwithstanding the political aspect of it—an abandonment of its policy of democracy and human rights promotion—there is an institutional aspect to it too. For a long time, there have been security-related cooperation between the two countries, but leading to the election, evidently some of these institutions' integrity have been eroded as these have been blatantly used as political tools. If the US and the West adopt direct or indirect measures, there will be serious adverse impacts on Bangladesh's economy.

The predictable reactions of the trio—India, China and Russia—do not mean that the relationship between Bangladesh and these countries will continue as before. A contest between these nations, especially between China and India, will intensify to expand their sphere of influence. That will not be a matter of the distant future, but within a short period of time. Due to the ongoing economic crisis, Bangladesh will need to rely more on external support. This will bring Bangladesh and China closer, but how much closeness is acceptable for India is the question for the coming days. As such, whether the Western countries "act" or not, the country will continue to be the theatre of the Great Game.​

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Ali Riaz is distinguished professor of political science at Illinois State University in the US.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh a truly important strategic partner

US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Afreen Akhter, has said the US sees Bangladesh as a "truly important strategic partner" and looks forward to working over the next 50 years for a stronger relationship.

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh a truly important strategic partner​

Says US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter

US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Afreen Akhter, has said the US sees Bangladesh as a "truly important strategic partner" and looks forward to working over the next 50 years for a stronger relationship.

She said in the last 50 years Bangladesh-US relations have seen incredible progress between the peoples, economies and governments.

The people-to-people ties between the two countries are very deep, she said.

Praising Bangladesh's progress in different sectors, Akhter said Bangladesh's economy has expanded from largely agriculture society to economic powerhouse over the just few decades.

This is a story to really be proud of that Bangladesh has lifted millions of people out of poverty and the country will achieve the middle-income status within generations, which is truly remarkable, she said while speaking at a Victory Day function in Washington.

Beyond the economic cooperation, Afreen mentioned the close partnership between the two countries in providing Covid-19 vaccines and addressing climate change issue. She thanked the Bangladesh government for hosting some 1.1 million Rohingya from Myanmar.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC celebrated the 52nd Victory Day of Bangladesh, remembering the valiant freedom fighters who fought and made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of long-aspired independence.

To commemorate the day, the embassy arranged a daylong programme.

The day's first part of the programme began with the hoisting of the national flag ceremonially on the chancery premises in the morning by Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Muhammad Imran.

Officials and employees of the embassy were present at that time.

Later, the ambassador along with officials and employees of the embassy placed a wreath at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Corner of the embassy.​

 

[Deleted due to Error (Muji Iqbal)]

In the China vs. USA competition, I believe China is more trustworthy partner.

But Bangladesh should milk out what it can from USA.