Bangladesh: New cynosure of the US

In 1971, when Bangladesh achieved its independence, the then US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger dubbed Bangladesh 'basket case.' But only after four decades the current US secretary of state is considering Bangladesh its 'strategic partner.' Small actors of global politics are enjoying greater attention in post cold war international system. Fareed Zakaria presumed rightly in his book 'The Post American World' about the 'rise of the rest.' The US is truly feeling the hit of new emerging nations like Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has become a 'new' cynosure of the US in South Asia. This has to be defined as 'new' because of rapid changing approaches that are taking place in the strategic landscape of South Asia. These approaches include- significant changes that have come to pass in the US global strategy particularly shifting focus from Middle East to the Asia Pacific along with the issues of Myanmar and Pakistan. A 'new Myanmar' is igniting the new possibilities of democratic renaissance and revisiting its existing relationships with global powers e.g. the US and China. Pak-US relations are in a state of see-saw. And this is almost a daunting task for the US to maintain a steady bonhomie relationship with Pakistan taking into accounts it's never decreasing home grown terrorists and anti American sentiments existing among Pakistanis. So the recent strategic partnership between Bangladesh and the US cannot merely be viewed from narrow perspective of the US's strategic interest in the region but beyond.

On April 19, this year Bangladesh and the US for the first time exchanged their views in the areas of counter-terrorism, disaster management, maritime security and UN peacekeeping operations. The US delegation was led by Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro while Bangladesh delegation was led by the additional foreign secretary. On May 5, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni and the US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton signed a Joint Declaration on "Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue," Partnership dialogue is based on a long-term shared vision, based on convergence of strategic interests, mutual trust, confidence in each other and respect for each other's strategic sensitivities. 

Why the US is so much enthusiastic about Bangladesh? Bangladesh was never a trivial matter to the US since its independence. The importance has been sustaining because of several relevant matters- the geo-strategic location of Bangladesh, a constant point, and Bangladesh, a role model for many Muslim countries as a moderate-Muslim-democratic country. But the global scenario has changed those traditional variables of Bangladesh. Now Bangladesh is one of the best 'Muslim friends' for the US among a few ones. Arab spring has weakened the strongholds of the US in Arab world. It had a disaster in Iraq and in a conundrum in Afghanistan. The US desperately needs to uplift its image among the Muslim nations. It is looking for strengthening relationship with the Muslim world. Now there is an inter-governmental forum to exchange views between the US in one side and the Muslim world on the other. In the last meeting of the 'US-Islamic World Forum' which was held in Doha, Bangladesh's Premier Sheikh Hasina was an important speaker. As a part of strengthening relationship with Muslim majority countries the US wants to see Bangladesh a friendly one who will speak out against terrorism, fundamentalism and for democracy.

Changes in Myanmar is the another important issue which have brought Bangladesh in the American good book. Energy rich Myanmar is important for both the US and India. The decision to return to democracy by the autocratic rulers of Myanmar has impressed Obama administration. To ensure a stable transition towards democracy it is important that Myanmar is getting steady support from its neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh. The US would like to see both India and Bangladesh are assisting Myanmar to make its way through. As a gesture of friendship Bangladesh's PM also paid her visit to Myanmar just a few days later Mrs. Hillary Clinton had had it. During that visit it was reported that the agreements were signed on the following areas: banking, road, air and shipping, cooperation in fisheries, cooperation in agriculture and cooperation in gas and hydro-power.

The US is also considering Bangladesh as a potential destination for selling outmoded arms and instruments. In a recent bid to modernise the tactical transport aircraft fleet of the Air Force, Bangladesh has decided to purchase four Lockheed MC-130Es from the United States at an estimated cost of $180 million. In the official documents of this contract the US government said that the proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by enabling the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) to respond more capably to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs and support operations to counter violent extremist organizations.

In the concluding remarks I want to say that the strategic interest of the US in Bangladesh is multifaceted. It shouldn't be limited within the typical framework of 'China-fear.' Especially it is difficult to say about Bangladesh that it will join India-US axis against China in a game of balance of power in Asia. Sino-Bangla relationship has a deep rooted base. There are significant economic, military and cultural level relationship between Bangladesh and China. Anti-US and Anti-India sentiment prevails overwhelmingly in public perception in Bangladesh. So the strategic partnership requires many basic works to be done to achieve success. Success in public diplomacy is one of the basic components in this endeavor. From Bangladesh point of view there are opportunities while at the same time there are adversaries. The leverage it has must be utilized properly. There nothing to be lured but maximization of national interests.

This article was published on 16the June this year in the Daily Star.