Sri Lanka, the pearl of Indian Ocean and Bangladesh has a warm relationship and this has been consistent since the bloody birth of Bangladesh in1971. But this relationship couldn't reach its zenith because of consistent ignorance from intellectuals to popular leaders and mass media over the years. In Bangladesh public perceptions are too much influenced by the concept of 'great power' or 'super power'. If Rajapaksa were the premier of any great or super power he could attract huge media coverage. There could have been a buzz for days before his arrival. In Bangladesh a popular mindset works when it comes to India, Pakistan, China or USA. The media jump upon Ministry of Foreign Affairs and intellectuals start to talk in many seminars-forums about upcoming heads of government of the above mentioned countries. This zeal doesn't work for other states like Sri Lanka. What I say is that all these are common popular blunder. When it comes to bilateral relations, it comes with an option to achieve whosoever is in the other side. Eventually we forget that in the negotiation table with great or super power on the other side is not always necessarily helping us to gain; rather we sacrifice our interest. On the contrary, when there is an opposition with equal status then we have greater chance to gain. That's why states like Sri Lanka should get no less attention from our leaders and media.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka did business of $46 millions in the fiscal year of 2009-10. But its potential deserves more than twice or thrice. Still there is yet to be direct air and sea links between these two countries. The state level talk for direct air link was held in 2008 but yet to find the light of reality. On the export-import side both sides can increase their quantity of international business. Bangladesh can export pharmaceuticals, vegetable to Sri Lanka. During Rajapaksa's visit both sides agreed also to diversify the basket of tradable goods and looked for innovative ways to add fresh impetus to trade and commercial relations. This is a good sign. Bangladesh can seek investment in sectors like textile, knitwear, linen, leather, pharmaceuticals, agro based industries, IT, education and hospitality, etc. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also pointed those out to her Sri Lankan counterpart. But you can't always seek benefit without giving something in return. Bangladesh needs to know how it can come forth for Srilanka. Bangladesh can increase its import volume to reduce dependence upon other neighboring countries.
In the last joint statement both sides emphasized on terrorism along with other security issues. Both sides vowed steadfast support in combating separatist terrorism in Sri Lanka and in this context, for extending support to Sri Lanka at international forums, including the UN. Bangladesh sought Sri Lanka's support for Bangladesh's candidature for the non-permanent membership to the UNSC for the period of 2016-17. Sri Lanka also assured its support.
How Sri Lanka looks at Bangladesh? There is a common trait present between these two countries. This trait is-'concern over India'. Both these countries have to live under Indian influence. During the recent visit Rajapaksa sought 'strong political relations' with Bangladesh. This political statement is enough to indicate what Srilanka thinks about Bangladesh and its political motivation to offset Indian influence.
There is another similarity between these two SAARC countries which relates to relationship with China. Bangladesh and Srilanka both have excellent relations with China. For Sri Lanka the victory against Tamil rebels was actually propelled by China's help, military and otherwise. For Bangladesh, China is one of the largest importers of its goods. China is supposed to build up two deep sea ports--one in Chittagong, Bangladesh and another in Hambantota, Srilanka along with another in Kyaukphyu, Myanmar. China is trying to offset India in the Indian Ocean.
It can be said that Sri Lanka has been a friendly state for Bangladesh without any ups and downs for a longtime. Bangladesh needs to utilize this friendly environment more effectively. Bangladeshi researchers on international relations should come up with new areas of potentialities where the two countries can cooperate for their mutual interest. This will help to strengthen Bangladesh's position in regional and international forums. That's why we should rethink our relationship with Sri Lanka and thus should come out from existing traditional concepts of 'small state' or 'small power'.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka did business of $46 millions in the fiscal year of 2009-10. But its potential deserves more than twice or thrice. Still there is yet to be direct air and sea links between these two countries. The state level talk for direct air link was held in 2008 but yet to find the light of reality. On the export-import side both sides can increase their quantity of international business. Bangladesh can export pharmaceuticals, vegetable to Sri Lanka. During Rajapaksa's visit both sides agreed also to diversify the basket of tradable goods and looked for innovative ways to add fresh impetus to trade and commercial relations. This is a good sign. Bangladesh can seek investment in sectors like textile, knitwear, linen, leather, pharmaceuticals, agro based industries, IT, education and hospitality, etc. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also pointed those out to her Sri Lankan counterpart. But you can't always seek benefit without giving something in return. Bangladesh needs to know how it can come forth for Srilanka. Bangladesh can increase its import volume to reduce dependence upon other neighboring countries.
In the last joint statement both sides emphasized on terrorism along with other security issues. Both sides vowed steadfast support in combating separatist terrorism in Sri Lanka and in this context, for extending support to Sri Lanka at international forums, including the UN. Bangladesh sought Sri Lanka's support for Bangladesh's candidature for the non-permanent membership to the UNSC for the period of 2016-17. Sri Lanka also assured its support.
How Sri Lanka looks at Bangladesh? There is a common trait present between these two countries. This trait is-'concern over India'. Both these countries have to live under Indian influence. During the recent visit Rajapaksa sought 'strong political relations' with Bangladesh. This political statement is enough to indicate what Srilanka thinks about Bangladesh and its political motivation to offset Indian influence.
There is another similarity between these two SAARC countries which relates to relationship with China. Bangladesh and Srilanka both have excellent relations with China. For Sri Lanka the victory against Tamil rebels was actually propelled by China's help, military and otherwise. For Bangladesh, China is one of the largest importers of its goods. China is supposed to build up two deep sea ports--one in Chittagong, Bangladesh and another in Hambantota, Srilanka along with another in Kyaukphyu, Myanmar. China is trying to offset India in the Indian Ocean.
It can be said that Sri Lanka has been a friendly state for Bangladesh without any ups and downs for a longtime. Bangladesh needs to utilize this friendly environment more effectively. Bangladeshi researchers on international relations should come up with new areas of potentialities where the two countries can cooperate for their mutual interest. This will help to strengthen Bangladesh's position in regional and international forums. That's why we should rethink our relationship with Sri Lanka and thus should come out from existing traditional concepts of 'small state' or 'small power'.
This article was appeared in the Daily Star on 7th May, 2011.
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