Bangladesh needs to make careful choices

Bangladesh's geopolitical and geostrategic importance has grown bringing an “opportune moment” for the country but it must be “very careful” in making its choices, says an international political analyst.

Dr Ali Riaz, professor of the Department of Politics and Government at the Illinois State University, USA, said the efforts to include Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative of Japan, the OBOR (One Belt One Road) of China and the Naya Disha policy of India point to the fact that Bangladesh's geopolitical and geostrategic importance has grown.

"Both the geographical location and the economic growth of the country in the past two decades are to be credited for the attention it is now receiving," he told the news agency.

It is equally important to keep in mind that the centre of global economic activities is shifting to Asia, said Prof Riaz, adding that Bangladesh should not let the opportune moment go by.

Explaining why Bangladesh must be “very careful” in making its choices, he said none of these initiatives are devoid of the strategic objectives of these countries.

"It's not only a matter of balancing among these three but also necessary to consider the future trajectories," said the political analyst.

He thinks the long-term interests of the country should dictate the nature, scope and degree of engagements; decisions based on immediate political gains or ad-hoc measures will be immensely harmful.

"These issues warrant public discussions and involvement of all political forces, citizens and the members of the civil society. Unfortunately, currently environment for such conversation is absent in the country; decisions are taken without transparency and accountability," Prof Riaz observed.

Bangladesh sits at the heart of a geostrategic polity, bordered with India to its west and separated states of the former's northeast, Myanmar to the southeast, laying access to Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and China, and separated from Nepal and Bhutan by the chicken's neck corridor (Siliguri Corridor), with the Bay of Bengal in the South, connecting a vast majority of the world's nations and population.

Responding to a question, Prof Riaz said Bangladesh's participation in the OBOR, to date, appears to be “enthusiastic but cautious”.

The reason, according to him, is not difficult to ascertain. "Political rather than economic consideration is causing some hesitations from the part of Bangladesh."

Prof Riaz claimed that the close relationship between Bangladesh and India, particularly the present Bangladesh government, has put them on a slow path.

He also said Chinese efforts to embrace various countries of South Asia, including Bangladesh, is not viewed by Indian policymakers very kindly as they see it as a challenge to Indian influence.

The analyst explained further saying while undoubtedly Bangladesh will benefit from the connectivity the OBOR will offer, it should emphasise other aspects of Bangladesh-China economic relationships.

"For example, the trade gap. There's a need to act urgently and robustly on the trade gap between these two countries."

Prof Riaz recalled that the request for duty-free access to Chinese market has not been responded yet. "These should be a part of the negotiations."

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