The
Key Challenges of Foreign Policy in Bangladesh
Bangladesh, a South Asian country, is
located in a conflicted region and peace may be a dream in the area. India,
Pakistan and China have an uneasy political relationship and rivalries. Moreover,
Kashmir disputes aggravate the bitterness of their bilateral relations. Bangladesh
has also unsettled issues with its close neighbours.
To learn more on Prospects of Current Foreign Policy in Bangladesh
Rohingya
Issues, Myanmar & Friends
About 1 million Rohingya refugees fled
from Myanmar taking shelter in Bangladesh. International communities help to donate money and to provide foods to the refugees but Bangladesh has not
received support from its close friends. As Myanmar has a strategic location
and lots to give, China, India and Japan are investing in the country (Burma).
Balancing
relationship with different countries
Due to the geopolitical advantage, many
influential countries are now giving much importance to Bangladesh. The country
has to balance its relationship with these big players (US-Rus, China, Japan
& India).
Bangladesh aborted Sonadia deep seaport
project with China in 2016. India had shown a concern that it would bring China’s
direct presence closer to Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India.
Chinese
'debt trap'
A big challenging question is - Is
Bangladesh going to fall in a 'debt trap' of China? China and Bangladesh have made
numerous infrastructure deals (billions worth). However, some are concern that dependence
on Chinese money will force Dhaka indebted to Beijing although these
investments promise advantages.
A
love-hate relationship with India?
The changes in the government of Bangladesh
affect the relations with its neighbouring country India. There is some sort
of mistrust and the love-hate relationship between India (the world’s largest
democracy) and Bangladesh.
The citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) & National Register of Citizens (NRC): Read
more at CAA, NRC & its Impacts
The
sharing of river Teesta’s waters: Indian PM Narendra Modi has committed on the fair
share of Teesta River’s water, but nothing happens.
Border
killing: Although India has committed to zero border deaths,
shooting and killings, unfortunately, continue at the India & Bangladesh
border by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). It is also worth mentioning
that the picture of Felani's body hanging on the border fence caught
international media attention and created much anger among Bangladeshi
citizens. The India & Bangladesh border has been termed as one of the most
dangerous borders in the world.
Cows
and Onion Crisis: Following
the cow trade ban, legal cattle trade from India has shrunk but cow smuggling is increased significantly in the border.
Bangladesh also faced a huge demand and
price hike crisis due to the Indian’s ban on onion export to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is trying to mitigate the problem by raising domestic onion
production in the future.
Muhorir
River & Char: The disputes on settling the boundary
along the midstream of the Muhuri River is one of the unsolved issues between
the two countries. Despite repeated requests from the government of Bangladesh,
India keeps the disputes hanging.
World
Bank & the Padma Bridge Project Scam
World Bank (WB) blocked its promised
finance for constructing the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project because of
corruption conspiracy (2012) among Bangladeshi government officials with the
key stakeholders. However, it was told (PM) that Muhammad Yunus stopped WB
funding by using his relations with Hillary Clinton (the ex-US Secretary of
State).
Money
Laundering / Money Flight
Dishonest businessmen in Bangladesh
generate capital flights (money smuggling) through opening fake LCs, over &
under-invoicing of imports or hundi. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit
(BFIU) and National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Anti-Corruption Commission
(ACC), police and law enforcement agencies are trying to prevent money
laundering but they have failed.
Drugs
and smuggling
Bangladesh has become a supermarket for
traffickers who buy the drugs from factories in Myanmar (a hub of ya’ba
smuggling and trading) and India at cheap rates and sell in Bangladesh at
higher price.
Migration
& Remittance issue
Exports of labours from Bangladesh to the Middle East has declined profoundly for multiple factors, for instance: the
higher migration cost, limited employment opportunities & promised
salaries, violence against women workers, armed conflicts and lack of government
initiatives to protect migrants etc. The manpower market is shrinking
steadily.
Terrorism
and Extremism
After the attack on the Holey Artisan
cafe in Dhaka (July 2016), a deadly extremist attack, there was a fear of
growing extremism in Bangladesh but it has not happened thanks to the present
government of Bangladesh. To stop terrorism and extremism, Anti-Terrorism Unit
(ATU) and Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) have been
established.
Imbalanced
International Trade with China And India
Shortage
of Bangladesh Diplomatic Missions
Abroad
In foreign policy, friends are often
changeable and there is no permanent friend or foe. Only self-interest is constant (the real
thing).
What should Bangladesh do?
Will BD make good friends with the
influential countries who can help the country (without increasing enemies)?
Further
Reading
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