@ The offshore natural gas deposits have attracted dozen western oil companies into Bangladesh, a basket-case economy now in the process of transformation. Initially the estimate was that the deposit would not exceed 10 trillion cubic feet. Now the Anglo-American
energy explorers have struck 100 to 120 trillion cubic feet.With a changing economic profile Bangladesh is emerging as a key player in south Asian geo politics. The Americans are playing on Dhakas desire for a higher international profile. The deal is that Washington would help Dhaka get a regional UN institute for peace-keepers, if Dhaka agrees to lie on the American SOFA. A section of the media reported that during their meeting in New Delhi, Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee advised Sheikh Hasina, the then Prime Minister against entering into such an agreement with the U.S.The Sheikh Hasina Government also viewed SOFA from another perspective.
In its view, Bangladesh, as an active member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, owed it to the region not to allow the entry of foreign forces which may have profound and far-reaching consequences. The Government has elaborately, but cautiously, explained that the stationing of foreign troops or their frequent entry into the country might have an adverse impact within and utside the country.
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