Bangladesh at centre of America's Indian Ocean security!

[Homo Sapiens]

Bangladesh at centre of America's Indian Ocean security!
Staff Correspondent | Update: 17:45, Feb 05, 2018

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Bangladesh is going to be considered the most important country in America's security concerns in Asia-Pacific region, The National Interest indicates in an article.

The US international affairs magazine says with US strategy and attention increasingly shifting from the Asia-Pacific to the Indo-Pacific, the long-neglected states of South Asia and the Indian Ocean will assume greater geopolitical significance in the years ahead.

"Public polling indicates that Bangladesh’s population is one of the most pro-American in the region, and officials in Dhaka are generally enthusiastic about further strengthening ties with the United States," adds the article titled "How Bangladesh Can Improve Indian Ocean Security".

It referred to the recent Rohingya crisis affecting Bangladesh, and mentioned that Dhaka has expressed gratitude to Washington for the support it’s provided during the crisis but insists that international pressure on the Myanmar regime must continue.

The magazine focussed on the US focus on this region, in the context of Bangladesh's increasing engagement with India and China.

However, Washington looks more concerned about China's transactional and business-like relationship with Bangladesh and defence cooperation between the two countries.

"There is also some skepticism in Dhaka about the broader strategic implications of the BRI, of the pitfalls of becoming ensnared in a Chinese “debt trap,” and of the underhanded tactics employed by Chinese firms," wrote the magazine.

Naming other South Asian nations that are also neglected in Washington's Asia policy, such as Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, The National Interest called Bangladesh "the largest and arguably the most important of the group".

The article pointed out that Bangladesh is the eighth largest country in the world with 165 million people, which is equal to combined population of Britain, France and Canada. It also has the world’s fourth-largest Muslim population, behind only Indonesia, India and Pakistan, the article added.

The magazine also appreciated the current Awami League government for adopting a "zero-tolerance approach to Islamist terrorism.

"Nevertheless, a number of terrorist and extremist militant groups with transnational linkages continue to pose a threat to Bangladesh and the region," the article said emphasising the need for America's engagement counterterrorism cooperation.

Saying that America is already the top importer of Bangladeshi goods, the article also mentioned about Dhaka's interest in increasing bilateral trade, easing trade restrictions, reducing tariff and encouraging more US investment in Bangladesh.

The article predicted that with the Trump administration promoting a new free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, Bangladesh will have new opportunities to diversify its sources of investment, strengthen ties with the United States, and position itself as a net contributor to security in the Indian Ocean.

"In this regard, Dhaka should consider explicitly endorsing the Trump administration’s FOIP strategy, as well as its vision for regional infrastructure. That vision emphasises transparency, responsible financing and high-quality standards — all things the BRI has been criticized for lacking," the article insisted.

It added that the Trump administration "should consider increasing the number of port calls and high-level defense exchanges with Bangladesh as well as bilateral and trilateral military exercises, potentially to include India and/or Japan."

"Bangladesh might also be considered for observer status at the annual India-US-Japan Malabar exercises."
http://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/news/170626/Bangladesh-at-centre-of-America-s-Indian-Ocean

 

[bluesky]

It added that the Trump administration "should consider increasing the number of port calls and high-level defense exchanges with Bangladesh as well as bilateral and trilateral military exercises, potentially to include India and/or Japan."

"Bangladesh might also be considered for observer status at the annual India-US-Japan Malabar exercises."

BD will accept participation in exercises with other countries mentioned above, but, the USA should not consider BD as a client state of India or any other country. USA should allow BD to be a partner-in-arms as equal as India.

 

[Dot]

Well, Foreign Minister stated at a public briefing very recently that the first priority in our foreign policy would to engage more & improve relationship with the EU; followed by maintaining a balanced relationship with India & China.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

BD will accept participation in exercises with other countries mentioned above, but, the USA should not consider BD as a client state of India or any other country. USA should allow BD to be a partner-in-arms as equal as India.

It depends on how much economic and military strength BD acquire and whether we have an independent foreign policy, whether BD can deal with India on equal terms by it's own. If we can not engage India on equal terms then no other country would treat us as such.If we acts like Maldives or Bhutan and allow India to interfere in our domestic affairs then other countries will certainly treat us as a lesser partner than the India. So, to earn respect from other powers, our strengthening of economy and armed forces as well as independent foreign policy remain vital. We need to come out from the shadows of India or China and maintain equal distance as well as equal friendship with them.BD should not be a geo-political battlefield for Indian or Chinese to play their rivalry game and thus invite their meddling.Maintain economic co-operation with both of them but with a distance, meanwhile strengthen strategic partnership with EU, US, OIC, Japan,Korea,Thailand,Singapore, Vietnam and other like minded countries.

 

[Shorisrip]

It depends on how much economic and military strength BD acquire and whether we have an independent foreign policy, whether BD can deal with India on equal terms by it's own. If we can not engage India on equal terms then no other country would treat us as such.If we acts like Maldives or Bhutan and allow India to interfere in our domestic affairs then other countries will certainly treat us as a lesser partner than the India. So, to earn respect from other powers, our strengthening of economy and armed forces as well as independent foreign policy remain vital. We need to come out from the shadows of India or China and maintain equal distance as well as equal friendship with them.BD should not be a geo-political battlefield for Indian or Chinese to play their rivalry war and thus invite their meddling.Maintain economic co-operation with both of them but with a distance, meanwhile strengthen strategic partnership with EU, US, OIC, Japan,Korea,Thailand,Singapore, Vietnam and other like minded countries.

We should strive to be the second greatest military power in the subcontinent after India. It may look like a pipe dream for now, but in conventional means, our armed forces can be better than Pakistan in lot of ways in the future as our economy continues to grow, at a pace much faster than theirs. Honestly, wars aren't fought against countries with such great deterrents as formidable armed forces, unless the opponent themselves pose a force rivaling theirs. Substandard countries like Burma wouldn't dare to have done the thing they have done to us, if it were Pakistan or India.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

We should strive to be the second greatest military power in the subcontinent after India. It may look like a pipe dream for now, but in conventional means, our armed forces can be better than Pakistan in lot of ways in the future as our economy continues to grow, at a pace much faster than theirs. Honestly, wars aren't fought against countries with such great deterrents as formidable armed forces, unless the opponent themselves pose a force rivaling theirs. Substandard countries like Burma wouldn't dare to have done the thing they have done to us, if it were Pakistan or India.

I doubt it.Pakistan is desperate to maintain military balance with India and will eat grass if need to.Plus they are a nuclear power.While we have no such a resolve.Rather than setting goal involving Pakistan, we should strive to become one of the top 20 military in world by 2040.We can emulate Pakistan on how to build armed forces and gauze progress by keeping them as an example, but should not engage in such race of this '2nd largest in south asia' things with Pakistan.

 

[Joe Shearer]

BD will accept participation in exercises with other countries mentioned above, but, the USA should not consider BD as a client state of India or any other country. USA should allow BD to be a partner-in-arms as equal as India.

Where did you get the idea that anyone, anywhere was calling you a client of any other state? Why are you raising a point out of nowhere?

 

[Joe Shearer]

It depends on how much economic and military strength BD acquire and whether we have an independent foreign policy, whether BD can deal with India on equal terms by it's own. If we can not engage India on equal terms then no other country would treat us as such.If we acts like Maldives or Bhutan and allow India to interfere in our domestic affairs then other countries will certainly treat us as a lesser partner than the India. So, to earn respect from other powers, our strengthening of economy and armed forces as well as independent foreign policy remain vital. We need to come out from the shadows of India or China and maintain equal distance as well as equal friendship with them. BD should not be a geo-political battlefield for Indian or Chinese to play their rivalry game and thus invite their meddling.Maintain economic co-operation with both of them but with a distance, meanwhile strengthen strategic partnership with EU, US, OIC, Japan,Korea,Thailand,Singapore, Vietnam and other like minded countries.

With respect, both you and @bluesky seem to be facing the wrong way.

Bangladesh will get the recognition she deserves only on acquiring the ability to perform certain tasks, not on the ability to quarrel successfully with other nations. In this context, the context of ocean security, Bangladesh needs to:

• Guard sea lanes and commercial traffic;
• Protect the fishermen from littoral states from the factory ships of distant and unconnected countries;
• Be prepared to patrol the choke-points of the Bay of Bengal;
• Escort convoys, if required;
• Sweep for submarines outside Bangladesh ports;
• Protect against surface units from non-littoral states;

As you can see, none of this involves standing up to India.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

With respect, both you and @bluesky seem to be facing the wrong way.

Bangladesh will get the recognition she deserves only on acquiring the ability to perform certain tasks, not on the ability to quarrel successfully with other nations. In this context, the context of ocean security, Bangladesh needs to:

• Guard sea lanes and commercial traffic;
• Protect the fishermen from littoral states from the factory ships of distant and unconnected countries;
• Be prepared to patrol the choke-points of the Bay of Bengal;
• Escort convoys, if required;
• Sweep for submarines outside Bangladesh ports;
• Protect against surface units from non-littoral states;

As you can see, none of this involves standing up to India.

I did not mention 'dealing with India on equal terms' anything like creating hostility or feud with India.It was like how two independent, powerful and proud nation maintain relation with each other.For example, Britain and France or Germany and France etc.They are neighbor, powerful, engaging, friendly but nobody consider her own anything less then her peer.Or even compare your relation with Iran and Pakistan with that of Nepal and Bhutan.Iran and Pakistan deal with India on equal terms, but not the Nepal and Bhutan or even Sri Lanka.We don't want a relationship with India on equal terms like those of Pakistan(equal but hostile) but what you have with Iran(friendly equal).I don't think anyone in India consider Iran to be a push over and deal with Iran with respect.We want that type of relationship.

 

[TopCat]

Where did you get the idea that anyone, anywhere was calling you a client of any other state? Why are you raising a point out of nowhere?

Well it was the bush the great suddenly invented the idea that south asian security and foreign affairs should be leased out to India and Indian lobbyist. That stupid idea was dropped later once BD just tightened the screw.
After failing with USA, India again approached Russia and asked Russia to keep them involved in any high tech transfer like nuclear to BD. Russia initially ignored but later indian approached Hasina and she later threw some bones to keep them happy until next election. There are myriads of example where India crosses its line and make itself a laughing stock all the time.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Well it was the bush the great suddenly invented the idea that south asian security and foreign affairs should be leased out to India and Indian lobbyist. That stupid idea was dropped later once BD just tightened the screw.
After failing with USA, India again approached Russia and asked Russia to keep them involved in any high tech transfer like nuclear to BD. Russia initially ignored but later indian approached Hasina and she later threw some bones to keep them happy until next election. There are myriads of example where India crosses its line and make itself a laughing stock all the time.

True, many people in BD did not like Americans discussing about BD political unrest with India. As if, India is the guardian of BD. That was a wrong approach from the Bush administration.

 

[Joe Shearer]

I did not mention 'dealing with India on equal terms' anything like creating hostility or feud with India.It was like how two independent, powerful and proud nation maintain relation with each other.For example, Britain and France or Germany and France etc.They are neighbor, powerful, engaging, friendly but nobody consider her own anything less then her peer.Or even compare your relation with Iran and Pakistan with that of Nepal and Bhutan.Iran and Pakistan deal with India on equal terms, but not the Nepal and Bhutan or even Sri Lanka.We don't want a relationship with India on equal terms like those of Pakistan(equal but hostile) but what you have with Iran(friendly equal).I don't think anyone in India consider Iran to be a push over and deal with Iran with respect.We want that type of relationship.

Why on earth do you think you won't get it? Because of some idiot fanboy comments? C'mon, chief, give me a break!

Well it was the bush the great suddenly invented the idea that south asian security and foreign affairs should be leased out to India and Indian lobbyist. That stupid idea was dropped later once BD just tightened the screw.
After failing with USA, India again approached Russia and asked Russia to keep them involved in any high tech transfer like nuclear to BD. Russia initially ignored but later indian approached Hasina and she later threw some bones to keep them happy until next election. There are myriads of example where India crosses its line and make itself a laughing stock all the time.

Somehow, we must stop this diplomacy through the lens of the media, and from the point of view of the latest enthralling coffee-house session.

Conspiracy theories are the speciality of our neighbour on the west; you need to develop one of your own.

True, many people in BD did not like Americans discussing about BD political unrest with India. As if, India is the guardian of BD. That was a wrong approach from the Bush administration.

And what was the upshot of this 'discussion'? Did you lose your independence? Did your economy slide backwards? Did you forget who you were and suddenly wake up one morning and find you had become the 27th Indian state?

Please will you good people stop tossing up stuff for Indian fanboys to nail?

 

[Valar.]

Holy sh!t ! Uncle Sam just noticed a new kid in town. May lord have mercy on this poor hard working child.

 

[extra terrestrial]

Well it was the bush the great suddenly invented the idea that south asian security and foreign affairs should be leased out to India and Indian lobbyist. That stupid idea was dropped later once BD just tightened the screw.

It was Obama actually... they called it 'The Responsibility Doctrine'.

Most probably, after the Gulshan attack, both sides got the realization to renew direct contacts. There was zero intelligence sharing between the two till the incident occurred...

And obviously, Trump was expected to dump the doctrine...

 

[TopCat]

It was Obama actually... they called it 'The Responsibility Doctrine'.

Most probably, after the Gulshan attack, both sides got the realization to renew direct contacts. There was zero intelligence sharing between the two till the incident occurred...

And obviously, Trump was expected to dump the doctrine...

No it was bush who openly said it in new delhi and his diplomat followed that up except the us emvassy in dhaka.