Bangladesh, Japan vow to protect a free Indo-Pacific region

Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh and Japan have vowed to protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region that is based on the rule of law and protects the rights and sovereignty of all countries, regardless of their size or power.

They consider the maritime order and freedom of navigation to be crucial to the stability and prosperity of the international community, and emphasise the importance of utilising the sea as a global common for the development of the blue economy.

The matters have been issued in a joint statement signed between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio in Japan on Wednesday.
Premier Kishida has presented Japan’s plan for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) which aims to enhance relations with international partners beyond the G7 through the four pillars of cooperation.

Prime Minister Hasina expressed appreciation for Japan’s efforts in securing regional and international peace, stability, and prosperity and reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific based on international law and shared prosperity for all.

Both the ministers shared the recognition on the importance of economic security including strengthening resilience of supply chain, and the rules-based international economic order to counter challenges such as economic coercion.

Security Cooperation
The Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Japan have agreed to continue to promote security cooperation, including mutual visits, unit-to-unit exchanges, training programmes, and goodwill exercises.

They have also agreed to enhance dialogue between their respective diplomatic and defense authorities and to consider opening Defense and National Security Wings in their respective embassies in the near future.

Both leaders acknowledged their countries’ contributions to regional security and welcomed negotiations on the transfer of defense equipment and technology.

Prime Minister Hasina acknowledged the establishment of the Official Security Assistance by Japan, a new cooperation framework for the benefit of armed forces and other related organisations of like-minded countries for the purpose of deepening security cooperation, and looked forward to future cooperation under this framework.
Ukraine War
Both Prime Ministers have expressed their concern about the war in Ukraine, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to the global order, with ramifications well beyond Europe, including in the Indo-Pacific.

They emphasised the need for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They shared the view that the securities of Europe and of the Indo-Pacific are inseparable and also asserted that conflict in any region has ramifications in the Indo-Pacific.

East and South China Sea
The two Prime Ministers expressed their commitment to fully observing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and reiterated that any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion and increase tensions that could undermine regional stability and the rules-based international order are unacceptable.

North Korea’s nuclear weapons
The joint statement also shared their strong concerns over Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes in violation of UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). They urged DPRK to comply fully with its obligations under all relevant UNSCRs.

Violence and Rohingya issues in Myanmar
Japan and Bangladesh expressed concerns about the situation in Myanmar and called for an end to violence and the release of detainees. They commended ASEAN’s efforts and urged Myanmar to implement its Five-Point Consensus.
The two Prime Ministers also discussed the need for safe and dignified repatriation of displaced persons to Myanmar and expressed their commitment to providing support to host communities and displaced persons. Prime Minister Kishida announced additional support from Japan for education and skills training for self-reliance.

Economic cooperation for mutual benefit
Japan and Bangladesh expressed satisfaction with Japan’s total assistance of over 2 trillion yen since 2014 and affirmed their commitment to the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative. They decided to resume a bilateral policy dialogue in carrying out development cooperation projects.

The two Prime Ministers affirmed their continuous cooperation in the development of the Southern Chattogram region, including the Matarbari deep sea port, and shared their intention to develop the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI) Master Plan.

They welcomed the launch of the Bangladesh-Japan Industry Upgradation Partnership and emphasised the necessity of continuous improvement of investment climate in Bangladesh, while expressing their commitment to further improving investment climate to encourage more Foreign Direct Investment from Japan in Bangladesh.
The Prime Ministers welcomed progress on the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement and the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement. They expressed satisfaction with the progress of joint PPP projects and encouraged Japanese companies to expand investment in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Hasina thanked Japan for its support in combating COVID-19 and both leaders agreed to continue cooperation. They acknowledged the need for intensified efforts to combat climate change, welcomed cooperation on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and affirmed their intention to work together on disaster risk reduction and COP conferences.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the Memorandum of Cooperation to enhance agro-based business and promote investments, emphasising cooperation in technology adoption and sustainable food systems.

They affirmed the importance of economic development, rule of law, and human resource development, with Japan offering legal technical assistance and people-to-people exchanges.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the progress of the Technical Intern Training Program and starting of skill and language tests for Specified Skilled Workers in Bangladesh, and expressed their intention to promote skills transfer.

Other areas of cooperation
The Prime Ministers affirmed their support for multilateralism and strengthening the United Nations based on the rule of law. They also discussed cooperation on peacekeeping, with Japan appreciating Bangladesh’s leadership in contributing troops to UN peacekeeping operations.

They reaffirmed their commitment to nuclear disarmament and the importance of the NPT. They stressed the need to sustain the decline in global nuclear arsenals.
They also discussed the importance of disrupting terrorist networks and financing channels and maintaining a “zero tolerance” approach to terrorism. They confirmed their intention to maintain cooperation in countering terrorism.

The joint statement concluded with both Prime Ministers reaffirming their commitment to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Japan and Bangladesh, based on shared values, and to work together towards achieving their common goals for the benefit of their peoples and the region. They also expressed their gratitude to the officials and staff involved in making the visit and the summit meeting a success.