Sauid Ahmed Khan :
When we talk about the liberation war of Bangladesh, the simulacra of a 28-year-old Frenchman may spring into our minds; named Jean Eugene Paul Kay.
He bends a hand in drawing attention to the horrific slaughter in the former East Pakistan by taking a dramatic action-hijacking a Boeing plane at gunpoint-to demand an emergency delivery of twenty tons of medications and medical equipment in war torn Bangladesh in 1971.
Thus, helped to highlights the Bengalis’ scenario, spotlighted Bangladesh’s liberation war, and contributed to Bangladesh’s epigones global recognition as a sovereign state.
The French connection with Bengalis, however, is not a fresh phenomenon. When Siraj ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal battled against the East India Company in 1757 for achieving independence from British authority, his French associates supported him in the battle of Palashi.
It’s properly illustrated in K.M. Panikkar’s Asia and Western Dominance-that the relationship between the West and the East involves elements of power, dominance, and highlighted when British narratives on Oriental are not full of consciousness and the French rejected the labyrinths of oriental and confronted the anti-ethical perspectives.
For example, he mentioned that Flaubert’s oriental perspective is rooted in an eastward and southward search for a “visionary alternative,” which meant gorgeous color in contrast to the grayish tonality of the French provincial landscape.
This aspect of France can be measuredby the recent visit of French President Emanuel Macron to Bangladesh in 2023, during which he expressed his amazement at the country’s culture and geographical landscape.
As the trip came to a close, he decided to take a boat ride down the Turag River-an unplanned excursion that allowed him to take a look at the local culture firsthand.
In addition, he paid a visit to the private studio of Rahul Ananda, a Bangladeshi songwriter and musician of the singing group “Joler Gaan,” in the capital’s Dhanmondi home. He listened the group’s songs and had conversations with the band members.
Albeit, contrary to Bangladesh, France is a culturally passionate country. The French people understand the value of art, literature, and culture. While other European countries secured their victories through military conquest, France did it care of cultural bonds as well.
The foundation of France’s collaboration strategy with Bangladesh is a cultural cooperation agreement that was signed on March 10, 1987.
Thanks to their maturing friendship, Bangladesh and France are increasingly economically logged in. France, as a European economic superpower, and Bangladesh, with its incredibly burgeoning economy, both payoff each other tremendous opportunities.
In an ever-changing geopolitical atmosphere where regional powers and Western countries, including France, are increasingly eyeing South Asia to advance their Indo-Pacific agendas, the strategic autonomy of Bangladesh is a savior and counterbalanced.
France now become Bangladesh’s fifth-largest export market, which grew from €210 million in 1990 to €4.9 billion in 2023 through European Union’s “Everything but Arms” initiative.
Both Bangladesh and France have benefited greatly from this cooperative atmosphere. Now, France is planning on investing heavily in crucial endeavors in Bangladesh, such as nuclear power, hydropower, aviation and aeronautics.
In regards to the development of an airport in Cox’s Bazar and construction of the new third terminal in the Dhaka airport, which rhymes the international standards, Bangladesh is tends to turning it into a global center for connecting flights between Europe and Asia.
Significantly, the strategic partnership between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the prominent French aerospace firm Airbus exemplifies potential for integration in the aviation industry. At the time, when French President Macron paid the visit, Bangladesh committed to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft.
The acquisition of Airbus has multiple benefits: it may help to improves Bangladesh’s aviation capability and strengthens commercial ties with France as well as opens the door to knowledge-sharing and technology transfer, which will boost innovation and economic progress in both countries.
For a long time, cultural exchange has served as an instrument for diplomacy; bridging gaps between language and country. Cultural diplomacy has taken several forms between France and Bangladesh, promoting respect and mutual comprehension between them.
It’s evident that there’s a long-lasting appeal of the French language and culture in Bangladesh, where the Alliance Française has served as a cultural intermediary for many years. Bangladesh’s love of French cuisine, fashion, literature and films demonstrates French influence in Bangladesh goes beyond the diplomatic and economic spheres.
Nevertheless, Bangladesh and French adjuvant on climate change is a prime example of their mutual relationship. Because of their respective vulnerability to climate change, both countries have joined in the same vessel to find remedies.
In a joint statement, France and Bangladesh impelled to the immediate execution of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the acceleration of efforts to raise more funds for development, climate change, and biodiversity conservation from all sectors.
According to Philippe Orliange, the executive director of the Agence Française de Dévelopment (AFD), France is keen to provide Bangladesh with low-interest financing to ensure the country can meet its green investment requirements and tackle climate-related obstacles.
It may be palpable that France is a major player in the Indo-Pacific region, where it vigorously defends its territorial integrity and enforces international law. Both Bangladesh and France have often stated their fundamental belief in multilateralism and their unwavering dedication to the UN Charter and international law, particularly the principles of peaceful conflict resolution.
While Bangladesh is concerned regarding its expansion in the Indo-Pacific region, the French President’s recent visit to Bangladesh is imperative to foster collaboration in particular issues; emphasis on deep sea fishing, maritime security, combating unlawful, unknown, and unregulated fishing, and attempting to address dead zones in the Bay of Bengal.
While both countries have coastlines in the Indian Ocean, they commit the Indo-Pacific to be free, open, friendly, safe, and peaceful. Their focus is squarely on strengthening the ties between members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
In conclusion, I may say that the growing friendship between France and Bangladesh is more than just a diplomatic matter; it exemplifies the power of cooperation across countries with very different backgrounds and experiences. France and Bangladesh are laying the groundwork for future diplomacy as they negotiate the nuances of their expanding relationship.
The secret is to keep the lines of communication open, tackle problems together, and always look for fresh approaches to strengthen their relationship. Finally, the significance of the French connection with Bangladesh is an example of how international collaboration may bring out positive change.
In a world where geopolitical complexity abounds, it proves that states can still unite, forge connections, and achieve a win-win situation that helps their own people and the globe overall.
(The writer is a Freelance Contributor)