Dhaka-washington ties: ‘Feast’ ends, now it’s time for action
After over two years of pause, Dhaka and Washington engaged in a series of dialogues early April when the two countries celebrated half a century of diplomatic relationship -- both promising to deepen the bond in the next 50 years.
Following the 8th Partnership Dialogue in Dhaka on March 20, US Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said it was just an appetiser for the "feast to come". And it was a feast indeed, beginning on April 4.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen held meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, a few congressmen and senators.
On April 6, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the US-Bangladesh Security Dialogue and met US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
The discussions took place when the global geopolitics was shifting with the emergence of China and more so with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the US making clear distinction between the world's democracies and autocracies.
Washington is giving more importance to its ties with Dhaka because of Bangladesh's socio-economic progress and role in the international forums. Reflecting this, the back-to-back dialogues discussed the achievements while issues of concern were also put on the table.
Momen requested Blinken to withdraw the sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion and seven of its present and former officials, arguing the force's role in counterterrorism. Washington recognised these points but made it clear that the withdrawal is a process and will take time.
The foreign minister called for the reinstatement of the generalised system of preferences (GSP) for Bangladesh, which was suspended in 2013 following the Rana Plaza collapse, on the grounds of labour standards and workplace safety. The US imports apparels worth $8 billion a year from Bangladesh.
A significant part of the Momen-Blinken meeting on April 4 was discussions on democracy and the human rights situation in Bangladesh.
The US was critical of the 2014 and 2018 elections. It also did not invite Bangladesh to the Democracy Summit last year. US officials said dropping Dhaka from the list of invitees may also be related to governance issues.
The US Human Rights Report 2021 published on April 13 highlighted the issues of human rights, democracy, good governance, labour rights, religious freedom and rights of marginal communities. It specifically spoke of widespread impunity for security force abuses.
On April 17, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said much of the information in the US report does not reflect the facts and the ministry will also seek explanation on the "discrepancy" of information.
Following a four-day visit to Bangladesh on April 20, US Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain expressed concern over violence against the Hindu community late last year, though he said by and large there is religious harmony here.
Foreign policy analysts say whether Dhaka likes it or not, the recent engagement between Dhaka and Washington clearly suggests that human rights, labour rights and democracy will continue to remain an important agenda for the US in the coming days.
Prof Shahab Enam Khan of Jahangirnagar University's international relations department said the Biden administration will also keep a watch on the national elections next year and the authorities need to take note of it.
"With regard to investments from the US, transparency and accountability are critical. We need more investments and will have more of those when we have a well-governed system and transparency," he added.
Diplomatic sources said Washington asked Dhaka to be careful about the projects being funded by China and Russia.
Dhaka maintains there are a number of mega projects with assistance from the two countries and those need to be completed before considering any other options.
Bangladesh has a historic relationship with Russia while China is a major development financier and the largest source of military hardware.
Foreign policy analysts say it is clear that Washington wants Bangladesh to move away from the influence of China and Russia. Bangladesh is also a signatory to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
During the April 4 meeting, Blinken sought Bangladesh's partnership to implement its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which analysts say is aimed at countering China. Dhaka invited Washington to invest in the blue economy and assured of working together for a free, open, inclusive and secure Indo-Pacific.
Since 2019, the US has been seeking to sign two defence deals with Bangladesh -- the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) -- to enhance opportunities for defence trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.
About the outcome of the security dialogue on April 6, Foreign Secretary Masud said Dhaka will try to complete the formalities of GSOMIA before the security dialogue next year, but signing ACSA is not a priority for it now.
"Signing GSOMIA does not mean we are immediately buying defence equipment, but only when we need it in our national interests," he told reporters at the foreign ministry recently.
Prof Shahab said signing defence deals with the US and working together in the Indo-Pacific is more a political decision than diplomatic, and it will have geostrategic implications.
Former foreign secretary Shahidul Haque said when there is a gap in communication, there is a chance of misunderstanding. Now the dialogue began between Dhaka and Washington, and this is the right thing that will help recalibrate the relationship.
He said Bangladesh maintains a neutral foreign policy and there should not be any problem in signing defence deals with the US as Bangladesh also buys defence equipment from other countries including China and Russia.
Shahidul, also Bangabandhu chair at Delhi University, however, said maintaining balance in diplomacy has become far more difficult now given the new global polarisation.
"It is like sailing a ship in the turbulent water. What we need now is a very strong diplomacy.
"The Westerners want transparency. We need to say that we will have to maintain relationships with others in our national interests," he said.
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