Bangladesh in no hurry to sign proposed defence agreements with US: FM Momen

[Black_cats]

Bangladesh in no hurry to sign proposed defence agreements with US​

MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN | Published: April 01, 2022 20:54:56

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Bangladesh in no hurry to sign pro

Bangladesh is not in a hurry to sign the two defence-related agreements proposed by the US, said high ups of the foreign ministry to the FE

The country also has no plans right now to procure arms from the US, added the official.

None of these issues will be Bangladesh’s priority in the upcoming bilateral meeting between US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on April 4.

Washington wanted Dhaka to sign two defence agreements -- GSOMIA and the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and the draft of the agreements were sent to Bangladesh.

The foreign minister, who will start for Washington on Saturday, told the FE that buying arms is not a priority for Bangladesh as it has no enemy.

“We are a peace-loving country and we do not have any enemy with whom we will engage in war” he said while talking to the FE at his residence.

Responding to a question, he said that there is no pressure from the US to sign these agreements and Bangladesh will not do anything under pressure from anybody.

Bangladesh has an independent foreign policy and whatever we do, will be done in the interest of the people.

However, he mentioned that Bangladesh is scrutinising the drafts of the agreements.

The foreign minister, in reply to a question, said that withdrawal of the sanction on RAB by the US administration will be a major priority for Bangladesh during the meeting and Bangladesh expects a positive outcome from the meeting.

The minister also said that despite being a strong advocate of Human Rights, the US is yet to hand over Tashed Chowdhury to Bangladesh, one of the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Replying to another question, Mr Momen said that enhancing bilateral trade and investment will be a major focus during his meeting with the US Secretary of State.

“The US is the largest investor in our country and also the largest buyer of RMG products. But their investment in Bangladesh is largely in the energy sector so we want them to make investment in other areas as we have huge investment opportunities here” he noted.

“We have plans to set up 100 special economic zones including the economic zones for IT where the US can invest”

Momen mentioned that the US has not put any pressure on Bangladesh for joining the Indo Pacific strategy.

But the foreign minister pointed out that the vision of Bangladesh in the Indo Pacific is similar to the US philosophy of the Indo Pacific strategy.

“Like them, we also want an open and free Indo-Pacific where the maritime trade and shipping will be going on without any interruption and hindrance,” he said.

He noted that the Rohingya issue will also get the focus in the meeting and Bangladesh will request the US to play a more active role in ensuring immediate repatriation of the Rohingya community to Myanmar.

“They and other big countries can also take all the Rohingya refugees to their country,” the minister said referring to the shifting of the family members of the slain Rohingya leader Muhibullah to Canada.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com

Bangladesh in no hurry to sign proposed defence agreements with US

Bangladesh is not in a hurry to sign the two defence-related agreements proposed by the US, said high ups of the foreign ministry to the FE The country also has no plans right now to procure arms from the US, added the official. None of these issues will be Bangladesh’s priority in the upcoming...

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

 

[leonblack08]

Snub their F-16 offer like they did to our request back in the 90s.

Not just for the ego boost, but also for our own future. No need to fall in their trap. We need to stay away from US weapons and fighters.

 

[BlindEagle]

Snub their F-16 offer like they did to our request back in the 90s.

Not just for the ego boost, but also for our own future. No need to fall in their trap. We need to stay away from US weapons and fighters.

Cmon bruh. They were right. We didn’t have 24/7 electricity at the time. What would you do with fighter jets?

 

[Wergeland]

America is addicted to sanctions. Its main ally in the neighborhood is India. If Bangladesh as a country of almost 200 million people is gonna be pressured into dancing to the tunes of Americas closest ally, then its own future will be bleek.

Bangladesh will soon have bigger population than Spain, Italy, UK and France combined. It deserves to be respected as a force on its own right. Bangladesh may be a underdeveloped country but historically, Bengal and its people has been a economic powerhouse.

Its upto America to grab this excellent opportunity with its both hands. See Bangladesh and its people for what it truly is; A energetic and crafty single-ethnic nation on the verge on something truly great, which can benefit the US in many different ways for decades to come.

 

[leonblack08]

Cmon bruh. They were right. We didn’t have 24/7 electricity at the time. What would you do with fighter jets?

Well, you are correct on that. But we can still snub it and brag about rejecting US offer

On a serious note, given our geographic location, we should stay away from US on strategic items like fighter jets.

 

[BlindEagle]

Well, you are correct on that. But we can still snub it and brag about rejecting US offer

On a serious note, given our geographic location, we should stay away from US on strategic items like fighter jets.

Euro stuff is our best bet

 

[UKBengali]

America is addicted to sanctions. Its main ally in the neighborhood is India. If Bangladesh as a country of almost 200 million people is gonna be pressured into dancing to the tunes of Americas closest ally, then its own future will be bleek.

Bangladesh will soon have bigger population than Spain, Italy, UK and France combined. It deserves to be respected as a force on its own right. Bangladesh may be a underdeveloped country but historically, Bengal and its people has been a economic powerhouse.

Its upto America to grab this excellent opportunity with its both hands. See Bangladesh and its people for what it truly is; A energetic and crafty single-ethnic nation on the verge on something truly great, which can benefit the US in many different ways for decades to come.

US is fully aware of BD's potential and that is why it is paying so much attention to it.

 

[Wergeland]

Euro stuff is our best bet

The best option is massive air-defence and naval deals with Turkey. Make it tenfold of what it is today.

Dont waste money buying new fighter jet now.
Wait until China offers FC-31 stealth fighter
Order massive amount of Chinese drones
Order massive amount of Turkish drones like TB2, Akinci

In the mean time buy tons of missiles.
All missiles should be road mobile.
Buy lots of LACM
Coastal defence missiles
Naval missiles
Frigates and fast attack boats with ASCM.
Atleast 1 type IRBM TEL-mounted

Ask China for HQ9
Ask USA for Patriots
Ask USA to sell Javelin
Ask China for CM302 AKG
Ask US for Helicopter Gunships
Buy as many small subs and midget subs as BD can afford

This will cost BD 20-30 bill USD over a period of 5 years but mark my words its the chepest way to secure Bangladesh sovreignty for the next 15 years.

Wait with jets until China or/and Turket offer stealth jets and do everything you can to buy loyal wingmen.

In the mean time vigorously and secretly kickstart indigineous arms industry.

Bangladesh must develop a supersonic or ballistic missle capable of hitting targets atleast 2000 km away. Preferentially with access to Baidu, Glonass and GPS in case one party swith its navigation off.

Launch geostationary positioning and recon satellites.

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

Snub their F-16 offer like they did to our request back in the 90s.

no one can say no to uncle sam and get away with it.
As of now , America pretty much runs the global order. BAL needs to give them something so that they look the other way whenever the next ''elections'' are held.
(see the panic and reaction to RAB sanctions).

You think the corrupt officials are willing to give up their multiple 6 bedroom detached houses in (insert Canadian city name here). Of course not !
Lets see how BAL navigates through this.

On a serious note, given our geographic location, we should stay away from US on strategic items like fighter jets.

now lets consider the other side of the coin, the advantages :

American equipment will give us access to the best training possible. American Airmen Training (AF and navy ) is without a doubt the best in the world. Airforces trained or built up using American help have always come out on top of their bigger and better funded/equipped adversaries. the USAF/USN work ethic and training, nothing comes close to it.
European training is good but doesn't come anywhere close.

BAF is in need of a mentality/culture shift.

Plus , nai mama theke kana mama bhalo.

 

[BlindEagle]

Dont waste money buying new fighter jet now.

I agree

Wait until China offers FC-31 stealth fighter

We won’t be buying advanced stuff from China because they’ll sell Burma whatever they sell to us. This is why we’re diversifying.

Order massive amount of Chinese drones
Order massive amount of Turkish drones like TB2, Akinci

Negotiations ongoing for Turkish drone. I heard we ordered Chinese wing loon 2 but I haven’t heard any updates on those.

In the mean time buy tons of missiles.
All missiles should be road mobile.
Buy lots of LACM
Coastal defence missiles
Naval missiles
Frigates and fast attack boats with ASCM.
Atleast 1 type IRBM TEL-mounted

China helping us set up missiles manufacturing plant. SAMs especially.
Need to get the Turkish tech like hisar o and ATMACA asap. 1 billion dollar deal done already for TOT

Ask China for HQ9
Ask USA for Patriots
Ask USA to sell Javelin
Ask China for CM302 AKG
Ask US for Helicopter Gunships
Buy as many small subs and midget subs as BD can afford

US requires us to sign their GSMOA and ACSA. We agree with former but disagree with latter. It will be some time before major US weapons in bd.

Wait with jets until China or/and Turket offer stealth jets and do everything you can to buy loyal wingmen

This is my wager too. Partnering with Turkey for stealth jet is a no brainer

In the mean time vigorously and secretly kickstart indigineous arms industry.

Basic stuff is indigenous. We lack missiles, jets, subs, frigate production now.

Bangladesh must develop a supersonic or ballistic missle capable of hitting targets atleast 2000 km away. Preferentially with access to Baidu, Glonass and GPS in case one party swith its navigation off.

TOT will help with this. 2000 km missiles should be plenty for bd to protect itself with.

American equipment will give us access to the best training possible. American Airmen Training (AF and navy ) is without a doubt the best in the world. Airforces trained or built up using American help have always come out on top of their bigger and better funded/equipped adversaries. the USAF/USN work ethic and training, nothing comes close to it.
European training is good but doesn't come anywhere close.

BAF is in need of a mentality/culture shift.

Plus , nai mama theke kana mama bhalo.

Except saudia though. Those fat monkeys get shot down by desert urchins

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

Except saudia though. Those fat monkeys get shot down by desert urchins

that's the fault of the Brits.

plus they have kills under their belt

we trained our C-130J pilots there (ill try and find the source)

 

[Destranator]

​

The country also has no plans right now to procure arms from the US, added the official.

As I had stated earlier, the RAB sanctions closed the door on procurement of any critical military hardware from the US.
It's mainly Europe (including Turkey) and China show for now.

 

[bluesky]

Bangladesh in no hurry to sign proposed defence agreements with US

This is only a face saving blabbering. However, this is also needed.

 

[khansaheeb]

Bangladesh in no hurry to sign proposed defence agreements with US​

MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN | Published: April 01, 2022 20:54:56

---

Bangladesh in no hurry to sign pro

Bangladesh is not in a hurry to sign the two defence-related agreements proposed by the US, said high ups of the foreign ministry to the FE

The country also has no plans right now to procure arms from the US, added the official.

None of these issues will be Bangladesh’s priority in the upcoming bilateral meeting between US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on April 4.

Washington wanted Dhaka to sign two defence agreements -- GSOMIA and the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and the draft of the agreements were sent to Bangladesh.

The foreign minister, who will start for Washington on Saturday, told the FE that buying arms is not a priority for Bangladesh as it has no enemy.

“We are a peace-loving country and we do not have any enemy with whom we will engage in war” he said while talking to the FE at his residence.

Responding to a question, he said that there is no pressure from the US to sign these agreements and Bangladesh will not do anything under pressure from anybody.

Bangladesh has an independent foreign policy and whatever we do, will be done in the interest of the people.

However, he mentioned that Bangladesh is scrutinising the drafts of the agreements.

The foreign minister, in reply to a question, said that withdrawal of the sanction on RAB by the US administration will be a major priority for Bangladesh during the meeting and Bangladesh expects a positive outcome from the meeting.

The minister also said that despite being a strong advocate of Human Rights, the US is yet to hand over Tashed Chowdhury to Bangladesh, one of the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Replying to another question, Mr Momen said that enhancing bilateral trade and investment will be a major focus during his meeting with the US Secretary of State.

“The US is the largest investor in our country and also the largest buyer of RMG products. But their investment in Bangladesh is largely in the energy sector so we want them to make investment in other areas as we have huge investment opportunities here” he noted.

“We have plans to set up 100 special economic zones including the economic zones for IT where the US can invest”

Momen mentioned that the US has not put any pressure on Bangladesh for joining the Indo Pacific strategy.

But the foreign minister pointed out that the vision of Bangladesh in the Indo Pacific is similar to the US philosophy of the Indo Pacific strategy.

“Like them, we also want an open and free Indo-Pacific where the maritime trade and shipping will be going on without any interruption and hindrance,” he said.

He noted that the Rohingya issue will also get the focus in the meeting and Bangladesh will request the US to play a more active role in ensuring immediate repatriation of the Rohingya community to Myanmar.

“They and other big countries can also take all the Rohingya refugees to their country,” the minister said referring to the shifting of the family members of the slain Rohingya leader Muhibullah to Canada.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com

Bangladesh in no hurry to sign proposed defence agreements with US

Bangladesh is not in a hurry to sign the two defence-related agreements proposed by the US, said high ups of the foreign ministry to the FE The country also has no plans right now to procure arms from the US, added the official. None of these issues will be Bangladesh’s priority in the upcoming...

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

OK , US needs to pay bigger bribes, why doesn't he come out clean and to the point.

 

[Avicenna]

OK , US needs to pay bigger bribes, why doesn't he come out clean and to the point.

Clearly he is negotiating higher compensation.

LOL.

Actually maybe not so funny.

Seems like the US is working on South Asia now regarding Russia/Ukraine.