Fair deal and diplomacy with all

Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
South Asia has emerged as the geopolitical centre of the world. Its geography and economic opportunities make it crucial from a strategic standpoint. The Sino-Indian rivalry for extending geopolitical and geo-economic influence is in play to determine the balance of power in the region. Today, China’s rise is seen as a major threat, and it has been argued that India can play a significant role in balancing Chinese dominance.
China engaged with many South Asian nations through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to establish itself as a prominent regional development and economic partner. BRI is a “transcontinental initiative aimed at infrastructure development and acceleration of economic integration of countries along the Silk Road route.” It is considered a synthesis of China’s geo-economics and geo-strategy, a means to secure China’s trade and supply lines as well as foster wealth through trade with less developed and unstable countries. Some scholars argue that China’s investments are part of the country’s “debt trap” policy, which will disproportionately harm poor countries unable to repay Chinese debts. Through BRI, China wants to strengthen links with South Asia, and the Indian Ocean. India too, expressed concern that China was attempting to dominate key regional choke points by putting its Indian Ocean neighbours under unmanageable financial burdens.
China is rapidly penetrating the economic domain of the South Asian region. By providing financial assistance for infrastructure projects, launching the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and strengthening trade and investment linkages, China is attempting to alter the region’s power equations vis-à-vis India that has traditionally wielded predominant influence in the region. Regardless of China’s strategic accomplishments on this front, China has yet to prove that its economic involvement entails win-win outcomes, and this in itself is a challenge for China to overcome in its path to expansion in the region.
India can counter Chinese influence but only if some structural challenges are resolved. India must maintain pragmatism and consistency in engaging with Southeast Asia. Furthermore, an unstable equilibrium between India and China is another challenge. To address this power imbalance, India has formed alliances on three fronts: despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it deepened ties with Russia; it established a strategic alliance through the QUAD; and it is collaborating with middle powers. The speed at which India can narrow the ‘Comprehensive National Power gap’ matters. Hence, the effectiveness with which these strategic alliances assist India in closing this gap and enhancing its internal capabilities and global competitiveness will determine their usefulness.
Bangladesh’s government is keen on closer ties with India but groups like these want to sabotage the prospering relationship and embarrass both Delhi and Dhaka. These protests are at best a distraction – an unfortunate and dangerous one. The leaders and policy makers must focus on the big picture. This decade will shape South Asian politics for many years. The question of whether or not China will be able to tempt Bangladesh and create differences between Delhi and Dhaka can only be answered with time. However, the important thing to remember here is a statement from India’s former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee who rightly said, “Friends can be changed, but not neighbours”. That’s the power of geography and of shared history.
Financial cooperation between Beijing and Dhaka is likely to add a new dimension to the economic ties between the two countries. China’s ambitious plan to internationalise its currency could help Bangladesh conduct a portion of trade in Renminbi (RMB) and secure some reserves in RMB-denominated assets, thus hedging currency risks. Beijing’s ongoing initiatives to set up new financial institutions, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, could open new opportunities for Bangladesh in accessing funds for infrastructure development. In addition, crucial aspect of our foreign relations in recent times has improved engagement with the East. Bangladesh is trying to maintain friendly relations with the East Asian countries. Bilateral relations with these countries based on the principles of peaceful co-existence, good neighborliness, partnership in development, mutual trust and confidence. The contribution and Cooperation from these countries in Bangladesh’s development has already been highly appreciated. Furthermore, Bangladesh is trying to increase closer partnership with these countries to take the relationship at a new height.
Apart from Asian countries, one of the major foreign policy objectives of Bangladesh is to maintain strategic partnership with the big powers namely the USA and Russia. Bangladesh is enjoying good relations with these two countries and the relations are growing substantially from different aspects. Hence discussions and dialogues matter to explore and untapped potentials of bilateral relationship.
Before we conclude, we may mention the latest china’s initiatives of building sound relationship and restoring interconnectivity of bilateral relation between kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran. China negotiates to remove misunderstandings and grievances in regards to mutual cooperation and interest in all aspects. It is a great success for China and from it; we can assume that China is becoming a power factor to counter USA. On the other hand, The USA’s stand may not be a happy one. They will react and take it as a negative notion which may create in congenial atmosphere over the global politics. However, we want peace and we have our advocacy against all oppression, injustice and discrimination. And finally we must have our fair deal and diplomacy with all.  

(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh
Ansar and VDP).