Bangladesh is located in a strategic region between two Asian giants: China and India. Both countries have shown interest in expanding their influence and cooperation with Bangladesh, offering economic opportunities and challenges. How should Bangladesh balance its relations with these two powers, and what role does its prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, play in this process?
Sheikh Hasina is one of the most successful and popular leaders in Bangladeshs history. She has been in power for four consecutive terms since 2009, leading the country to remarkable achievements in economic growth, social development, and democratic stability. She has also been praised internationally for her visionary leadership and initiatives on issues such as climate change, women empowerment, and regional cooperation.
One of the key aspects of Sheikh Hasinas foreign policy is her pragmatic and diplomatic approach to managing Bangladeshs relations with China and India. She has pursued a policy of friendship with both countries, while safeguarding Bangladeshs national interests and sovereignty. She has also maintained a close and cordial relationship with India, Bangladeshs historic ally and neighbor, while engaging constructively with China, Bangladeshs largest trading partner and investor.
Bangladesh and India share a long and deep bond, rooted in their common history, culture, and values. India was the first country to recognize Bangladeshs independence in 1971, and supported its liberation war against Pakistan. Since then, the two countries have cooperated in various fields, such as trade, defense, energy, connectivity, and development assistance.
India is Bangladeshs second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching USD 10.25 billion in 2019-20 India is also Bangladeshs largest development partner, with cumulative lines of credit worth USD 10 billion for infrastructure projects India has also resolved several outstanding issues with Bangladesh, such as the land and maritime boundaries, the sharing of the Ganges water, and the exchange of enclaves India has also facilitated Bangladeshs access to its northeastern states and other neighboring countries, such as Nepal and Bhutan, through transit and transport agreements.
Bangladesh and China have also developed a strong and comprehensive partnership, based on mutual respect and benefit. China is Bangladeshs largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching USD 18.24 billion in 2019-20 China is also Bangladeshs largest source of foreign direct investment, with cumulative FDI reaching USD 3.6 billion by June 2020. China is also Bangladeshs largest supplier of military hardware, accounting for 71.8 percent of Bangladeshs arms imports from 2015 to 2019. China has also supported Bangladeshs participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure and connectivity project launched by China in 2013.
During President Xi Jinpings visit to Bangladesh in 2016, the two countries signed 27 agreements worth USD 38.05 billion, covering sectors such as power, transportation, communication, and industrial parks. China has also granted duty-free access to 97 percent of Bangladeshi products, effective from July 1, 2020.
However, Bangladeshs relations with China and India are not without challenges and risks. China and India are engaged in a strategic rivalry and competition for influence in the region and beyond. The two countries have clashed over their disputed border, their roles in the Indian Ocean, and their involvement in other countries, such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Bangladesh has to navigate carefully between these two powers, avoiding taking sides or being drawn into their conflicts.
Bangladesh has to also ensure that its economic engagement with China does not compromise its sovereignty, security, or debt sustainability. Bangladesh has to be wary of Chinas debt-trap diplomacy, which has ensnared several countries, such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Pakistan, into unsustainable debt and loss of strategic assets. Bangladesh has also to balance its military ties with China with its security cooperation with India, which considers Bangladesh as a key partner in its neighborhood first policy and its vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Therefore, Bangladesh needs more Sheikh Hasina and India to maintain its stability and prosperity in a changing and challenging world. Sheikh Hasina has shown her wisdom and skill in managing Bangladeshs relations with China and India, as well as other countries and organizations. She has pursued a balanced and diversified foreign policy, based on the principles of friendship to all and malice to none.
She has also prioritized Bangladeshs national interests and aspirations, while respecting the sensitivities and concerns of its partners. She has also strengthened Bangladeshs ties with India, its closest and most reliable friend, while expanding its cooperation with China, its largest and most influential partner. She has also enhanced Bangladeshs image and role in the international arena, as a responsible and constructive actor.
Bangladesh needs more Sheikh Hasina and India, because they are the best guarantors of its peace and development. They share a common vision of a prosperous and progressive South Asia, where all countries can live in harmony and cooperation. They also share a common commitment to democracy, secularism, and pluralism, which are the core values of Bangladeshs identity and constitution. They also share a common destiny, as they face similar challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. Bangladesh needs more Sheikh Hasina and India, because they are the true friends and partners of Bangladesh.
The writer is a Former ICCR Scholar, Columnist, Researcher, and holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from NIT Durgapur, India
