Of politics and diplomacy

THE foreign Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida made a three-day visit to Bangladesh from March 21 to 23, during which he held an official discussion with Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali and paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
While the details of the visit are available in the media, the highlights include discussions on an Economic Partnership Agreement, annual consultation between the two countries at the foreign secretary level, and establishing a peace building centre in Dhaka. Together, these issues aim to further strengthen our bilateral ties. The Japanese government has also committed to a $1.18 billion loan package under the 35th Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) in energy, natural gas, electricity and developing infrastructure in the City Corporations. It is the largest loan ever offered to Bangladesh. Most importantly, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has extended an official invitation to Sheikh Hasina to visit Japan.
Japan plays an immensely significant role in Bangladesh as our primary bilateral development partner. It has made enormous contributions in our various socio- economic areas including infrastructure, power and energy, environment, disaster management, human resource development, health and sanitation , poverty alleviation and the strengthening of democracy. Amongst the chief projects are the Jamuna Bridge and the proposed Dhaka city metro. Earlier they had also committed a substantial amount to the proposed Padma Bridge, which was later withdrawn.
The two countries have traditionally enjoyed strong political, diplomatic, economic and people-to-people relations. Bangladesh is a popular country in Japan. The cultural relations between the two countries have also found a new domain in recent years. Japanese foreign direct investment in Bangladesh has also recently shown an upward trajectory. Over the years, both the countries have consciously nurtured their relationship. In the Japanese ODA circle, Bangladesh has earned the well-deserved recognition as a “role model” for effective utilisation of ODA money. A large number of Bangladeshis living in Japan have played a key role in familiarising Bangladesh to the Japanese media, and cultural and business circles through local assimilation and marrying Japanese nationals. The present Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh H.E. Mr. Shiro Sadoshima is a proactive diplomat who has actively promoted Bangladesh in Japan.
Japan's position towards the recent controversial election held in Bangladesh took the same stance as the majority of the developed countries. The Japanese prime minster also refrained from sending any congratulatory message to his Bangladeshi counterpart after the election, implying that the election results were not recognised by Japan.
 The Japanese foreign minister's visit at this critical juncture is thus both baffling and significant in many ways. He is the first foreign dignitary to visit Bangladesh since the January 5 election. The moot question is, how will this visit impact the future political trend in Bangladesh and internationally? Japan has long maintained its policy of non-interference in the internal politics of another country. It did not have any qualms in dealing with the martial law regimes of General Zia or General Ershad. However, during the caretaker government in 2008, they declined to release the 29th ODA in the absence of a roadmap for future election.
During the talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mr. Kishida reportedly welcomed the BNP's participation in the upazila election, terming it as good for consolidation of democracy. However, he strongly deplored the violence that took place during the January 5 election. Does this mean Japan has reviewed its conclusion on the January 5 election and perceives BNP's election boycott as faulty? I was always under the impression that BNP's relations with the Japanese politicians were stronger than AL's. On the pretext of time constraints, Mr. Kishida did not meet Khaleda Zia during the visit. The meeting did not take place though his stay was extended by more than 18 hours due to inclement weather. Does this herald bad news for BNP? The party would do better to read the signals!
By the same token, does it mean that Japan has accepted the ground reality in Bangladesh and is pursuing the realpolitik? That Japan will fall out of line from its peers seems improbable. So, does it also mean that the visit of the Japanese foreign minister should be seen as a harbinger to what other Western countries may follow in turn? The future will tell.
On their part, surely, Sheikh Hasina's government has skillfully maneuvered by gaining endorsement from the three most powerful regional nations, viz India, China and Russia. And now a visit by the Japanese foreign minister, together with an official invitation from the Japanese prime minister to visit Japan, will not only make her feel stronger and more confident but also embolden AL to rule  the country for the full 5- year term.
Given the reality of the day, it is also farfetched to expect that the western powers will intervene to alter the course in Bangladesh. See you in 2019.
 

The writer is a former Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan.