Global connectivity still a challenge
Speakers at a discussion yesterday stressed the need for maintaining a balance of relations with world powers, and recommended exercising caution surrounding global connectivity initiatives introduced by the United States and China for the benefit of the country.
They said the US-led Indo-Pacific Strategy and China's One Belt One Road initiative can mean immense possibilities and prospects for Bangladesh, only if policymakers can rightly negotiate with the two superpowers.
Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) organised a symposium on "Connectivity wars: The changing geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region" at its Dhanmondi auditorium in Dhaka with its alternate president former ambassador Muhammad Zamir as the chair.
Discussants highlighted two regional initiatives – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) and Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor – but expressed their frustration as both initiatives have stagnated due to a lack of effective strategies.
The event was addressed by Honourary Director of BILIA Dr Shahdeen Malik; Prof Lailufar Yasmin and Dr Syeda Rozana Rashid of International Relations Department of Dhaka University; Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, senior research fellow of Bangladesh Institute of International Strategic Studies (BIISS); Maj Gen (retd) AMSA Amin; and former ambassador Humayun A Kamal.
In her speech, Prof Lailufar Yasmin said the global balance of power is still volatile, and we are used to seeing a dominating power or a group of countries maintaining structural peace.
Dr Jasim Uddin of BIISS said Bhutan stayed out of BBIN, while some concerns of Nepal caused a setback in kicking off the initiative. On the other hand, he said BCIM-EC stagnated due to a lack of proper structural mechanism. Muhammad Zamir stressed depoliticisation of foreign policy and highlighted the Rohingya issue.
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