Lethalforce
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Are the hostile elements coming from Bangladesh??If no then the theory is not valid.
B'desh steps up troops deployment on Myanmar border amid row
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third eye
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The word ' take over' is used so loosely here ( Eg : India to take over BD).Are the implications of taking over a region / country realised ?
Besides the assets ( if they are any worthwhile ones) a whole can of worms gets opened in form of population control, administration etc. Who in their right senses would like to do that ? More so when the same ends can be achieved by other means.
What assets does BD have that India should covet ?
On the subject, BD is getting a 1st exposure to the real world and would do well to mend fences with Myanmar for the simple reason that conflicts just don't help. It has the advantage of not having to spend uselessly on Defence ( apart from the minimum needed for deterrence & self respect) unlike its neighbors who are stuck in a quagmire of wasteful expenses.
Besides the assets ( if they are any worthwhile ones) a whole can of worms gets opened in form of population control, administration etc. Who in their right senses would like to do that ? More so when the same ends can be achieved by other means.
What assets does BD have that India should covet ?
On the subject, BD is getting a 1st exposure to the real world and would do well to mend fences with Myanmar for the simple reason that conflicts just don't help. It has the advantage of not having to spend uselessly on Defence ( apart from the minimum needed for deterrence & self respect) unlike its neighbors who are stuck in a quagmire of wasteful expenses.
arihant
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This time I dont prefer to help BD as they lack sense. They don't wish India good and impose everything wrong on them. Also, what India has to with Bangladesh in this matter. If India has good relations with Burma, we should supply military weapons at good price (cheaper then china). At least Burmese do not think like BD.
Lethalforce
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This maybe a war for the natural resources where the stronger will take from the weaker Bangladesh can try to defend the resources ,even if a arms race arises Bangladesh will not win with India and China arming Burma and the limited budget Bangladesh has for defense.
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Bangladesh offshore water energy assets in dispute - UPI.com
Bangladesh offshore water energy assets in dispute
Published: Oct. 12, 2009 at 3:05 PM
CHANDPUR, Bangladesh, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Bangladesh's government has called for international arbitration to resolve conflicting territorial claims in the Bay of Bengal's offshore waters.
The Daily Star reported Sunday that Foreign Minister Dipu Moni told journalists that the government hoped to resolve maritime boundary disputes with India and Myanmar through the government's call for international arbitration. According to Moni, the government has formally notified the missions of the two neighboring countries prior to submitting the dispute for arbitration. Moni commented that exploration and exploitation of Bangladesh's offshore natural resources are essential for the development of the country, as it is largely bereft of onshore hydrocarbon deposits.
In 2007 Bangladesh's oil production was a paltry 6,746 barrels per day, while the country imported 83,220 bpd. Bangladesh's reserves are estimated at 28 million barrels, but the picture is considerably brighter regarding the country's natural gas reserves, estimated at 141.6 billion cubic meters.
Bangladesh's Bay of Bengal maritime dispute with India concerns the contested New Moore (also known and South Talpatty or Purbasha) Island, while after 21 years, Bangladesh's maritime frontier with Myanmar also remains unresolved.
Bangladesh offshore water energy assets in dispute
Published: Oct. 12, 2009 at 3:05 PM
CHANDPUR, Bangladesh, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Bangladesh's government has called for international arbitration to resolve conflicting territorial claims in the Bay of Bengal's offshore waters.
The Daily Star reported Sunday that Foreign Minister Dipu Moni told journalists that the government hoped to resolve maritime boundary disputes with India and Myanmar through the government's call for international arbitration. According to Moni, the government has formally notified the missions of the two neighboring countries prior to submitting the dispute for arbitration. Moni commented that exploration and exploitation of Bangladesh's offshore natural resources are essential for the development of the country, as it is largely bereft of onshore hydrocarbon deposits.
In 2007 Bangladesh's oil production was a paltry 6,746 barrels per day, while the country imported 83,220 bpd. Bangladesh's reserves are estimated at 28 million barrels, but the picture is considerably brighter regarding the country's natural gas reserves, estimated at 141.6 billion cubic meters.
Bangladesh's Bay of Bengal maritime dispute with India concerns the contested New Moore (also known and South Talpatty or Purbasha) Island, while after 21 years, Bangladesh's maritime frontier with Myanmar also remains unresolved.
Delwar blasts Dipu Moni for comments on Myanmars move
Staff Correspondent
The BNPs secretary-general, Khandakar Delwar Hossain, on Monday blasted foreign minister Dipu Moni for saying that there was nothing to be worried about in spite of the mobilisation of troops by Myanmar and construction of barbed wire fence along Bangladeshs border.
They have nothing to be worried and will not worry even if the country is occupied by foreigners. The role of the government is disquieting for the people who are concerned about the countrys security, he said.
Delwar said the government has made the Parliament dysfunctional and is now attempting to make the country a failed state. The people will take suitable action if the government fails to discharge its duties, he said.
Delwar, in response to a question, said the national council session of the party would be held in time and all the preparations were underway. He expressed doubts that fair trials of the war criminals would be held after such a long delay and when the demand for such trials was politically motivated.
We demand trial of the real perpetrators of heinous crimes during the War of Independence. The war took place long ago and the demand for trying the war criminals in recent times is politically motivated. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not initiate war crimes trials and the Awami League too was silent during its past tenure, he told reporters at the partys central office.
Before going to court, the government needs evidence and witnesses of the war crimes, but after such a long time it may not find sufficient proof. Moreover, the trials should not be politically motivated, he said, adding that if the government wants the kind of trials held by the interim government, there is nothing to say.
http://www.newagebd.com/2009/oct/13/front.html
Staff Correspondent
The BNPs secretary-general, Khandakar Delwar Hossain, on Monday blasted foreign minister Dipu Moni for saying that there was nothing to be worried about in spite of the mobilisation of troops by Myanmar and construction of barbed wire fence along Bangladeshs border.
They have nothing to be worried and will not worry even if the country is occupied by foreigners. The role of the government is disquieting for the people who are concerned about the countrys security, he said.
Delwar said the government has made the Parliament dysfunctional and is now attempting to make the country a failed state. The people will take suitable action if the government fails to discharge its duties, he said.
Delwar, in response to a question, said the national council session of the party would be held in time and all the preparations were underway. He expressed doubts that fair trials of the war criminals would be held after such a long delay and when the demand for such trials was politically motivated.
We demand trial of the real perpetrators of heinous crimes during the War of Independence. The war took place long ago and the demand for trying the war criminals in recent times is politically motivated. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not initiate war crimes trials and the Awami League too was silent during its past tenure, he told reporters at the partys central office.
Before going to court, the government needs evidence and witnesses of the war crimes, but after such a long time it may not find sufficient proof. Moreover, the trials should not be politically motivated, he said, adding that if the government wants the kind of trials held by the interim government, there is nothing to say.
http://www.newagebd.com/2009/oct/13/front.html
To do business with any country, India needs to raise its standard of military weapons to that of international level. By the way, BD is certainly not seeking Indian help with its problem with Burma.
arihant
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If you think India doesn't have international level military, then there is nothing hype. After the initial lost in 1962, everything is up. Let hope BD don't have to seek Indian help here. Although I think this war not gone happen and Burma will achieve nothing.
Bharat wages proxy war on Bangladesh using Burma
Posted on October 12, 2009 by Moin Ansari
Army Chief Lt Gen Abdul Mubin yesterday visited the tension-gripped Alikadam area of the district, which is close to Myanmar border, to see the latest border situation.
The army chief made the surprise visit at about 3:00pm and talked to the army officers there. “I can’t confirm they will have nuclear weapons in a few years,” said Khin Maung Win, deputy executive director of the Norway-based Democratic Voice of Burma, which obtained some of the images. “But it is the hope of the military regime.”
http://img257.imageshack.us/i/myanmarburma.gif/
Meanwhile, a frigate of Bangladesh Navy BNS Abu Bakar is now patrolling the sea near the disputed area where Myanmar had tried to rig last November for exploration purposes, said a navy officer stationed in Chittagong. “A warship is accompanying the frigate,” he said wishing anonymity. The situation on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has remained tense, he added.
Bangladesh has strengthened military build-up on its border as Myanmar deployed huge troops on their side and resorted to various provocative acts, fomenting the tension.
The Myanmar junta has brought in heavy tanks, artillery guns, warships and a frigate along and near its border with Bangladesh while army and BDR men remained alert on the border.
:The Daily Star: Internet Edition
The Bay of Bengal Continental shelf: Bharat wants to deprive Bangladesh of the riches of the offhore treasures.
Myanmar brings in everything:Troops, tanks, warships, frigate to spread tension further
The Myanmar military brought in heavy tanks, artillery guns, 12 warships and a frigate along its border with Bangladesh in the last 24 hours ended yesterday evening as part of its preparation for a large-scale conflict with Bangladesh, sources at the Bangladesh Armed Forces said.
Bangladesh also has strengthened its military build-up in a bid to repulse a Myanmarese incursion by preparing 30 warships in Chittagong and Khulna, a Navy official stationed at Chittagong told The Daily Star.
However, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at a press conference yesterday rejected reports about the heavy military build-up by Myanmar along Bangladesh border, saying it is a routine movement of the security personnel.
“I had talks with our ambassador, an army officer, in Myanmar and he told me that it is a routine practice,” she said, adding, “Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes also called the Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka and the envoy conveyed him the same message.”
Ground reality did not support the foreign minister’s claim as various sources in the military, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and intelligence agencies said that the situation on the border remained tense.
“The situation at Bangladesh-Myanmar border has remained tense,” Major General Mainul Islam, director general (DG) of BDR, said last night.
The BDR DG met State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haq Tuku yesterday and ‘normally’ discussed the border situation.
“I am going to place some proposals tomorrow (Monday) to include construction of more Border Operations Outposts across the border and a few more battalions to strengthen the border guards,” he told The Daily Star.
An intelligence agency official said Myanmar has doubled its military presence at the border over the last couple of weeks, a move that has prompted Bangladesh to take similar measures.
“Myanmar has sent in 37/57mm artillery guns that will bring Chittagong under their firing range,” the Navy officer told The Daily Star after the foreign minister claimed normalcy at the border.
Based on the information so far gathered, we suspect that Myanmar is making preparation for a short-scale naval conflict, he said.
“Suspicious military preparations have been going on at the Myanmarese side of the border over the last two months,” an intelligence official said, adding that the Myanmar army has newly deployed two battle units at their side.
Earlier Myanmar had deployed nine Light Infantry Battalions in its border with Bangladesh. As part of their repeated provocative acts, the junta has violated international border rules and constructed illegal barbed wire fences along the frontier.
“We in the Bangladesh Navy suspect that Myanmar wants to intrude into our sea and declare a large chunk of area as their Maritime Exclusive Zone,” the Navy official said.
The Myanmar junta can intrude into the Bangladeshi waters any time to claim ten nautical miles area, which covers the disputed block, which is thought to be a big source of oil and natural gas, he said.
Sources said after Bangladesh’s maritime boundary talks with Myanmar ended inconclusively in April, Bangladesh Navy made a deployment plan last September and sent it to the government for immediate action.
The deployment plan urged the government to strengthen maritime patrol at the Bay of Bengal and arrange joint naval exercises with friendly countries.
Meanwhile, sources in Sittwe (formerly known as Akiab) said that Myanmarese Air Force Tatmadaw has stationed three fighter planes at the Sittwe airfield. Sittwe is only 80km away from Chittagong airport.
Twelve warships are constantly patrolling the Bay area, which borders Bangladesh, the sources added.
According to Bangladesh Navy sources, a new Myanmar navy frigate, built with the Chinese help at Yangon, has arrived at the Bay of Bengal.
“There have also been new tanks and armoured columns are pouring in using the 40km road that they have recently built,” said another Navy officer.
He said Bangladesh has kept around 30 warships standby in Chittagong and Khulna to repulse any Myanmarese incursion. “The Myanmarese army personnel are regularly infiltrating into Bangladesh territory in the guise of civilians to gather information.”
Briefing newsmen, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni also said she had no information about whether Myanmar’s border guards were trying to push Rohingya refugees across the border.
In reply to a question, the foreign minister said Myanmar is not violating international laws by erecting barbed wire fences along Bangladesh border as well. “Myanmar is constructing fences in their territory conforming to international laws,” she said.
Dipu Moni also said the movement of the Myanmar security forces has no link with Bangladesh’s decision to seek UN arbitration to determine maritime boundary between the two neighbouring countries.
Asked whether Bangladesh asked China to mediate to resolve the crisis, she replied that she had no idea about any official proposal in this regard.
Meanwhile, no new leave for the navy men are now being granted, as all leaves in the Bangladesh Navy have been restricted, sources at the navy said.
:The Daily Star: Internet Edition
Bharat wages proxy war on Bangladesh using Burma RUPEE NEWS: Recording History, Narrating Archives, Strategic Intellibrief Analysis: Noticias de Rupia | Nouvelles de Roupie | Rupiennachrichten | ??????? ????? | ???? | Rupi Nyhet
Posted on October 12, 2009 by Moin Ansari
Army Chief Lt Gen Abdul Mubin yesterday visited the tension-gripped Alikadam area of the district, which is close to Myanmar border, to see the latest border situation.
The army chief made the surprise visit at about 3:00pm and talked to the army officers there. “I can’t confirm they will have nuclear weapons in a few years,” said Khin Maung Win, deputy executive director of the Norway-based Democratic Voice of Burma, which obtained some of the images. “But it is the hope of the military regime.”
http://img257.imageshack.us/i/myanmarburma.gif/
Meanwhile, a frigate of Bangladesh Navy BNS Abu Bakar is now patrolling the sea near the disputed area where Myanmar had tried to rig last November for exploration purposes, said a navy officer stationed in Chittagong. “A warship is accompanying the frigate,” he said wishing anonymity. The situation on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has remained tense, he added.
Bangladesh has strengthened military build-up on its border as Myanmar deployed huge troops on their side and resorted to various provocative acts, fomenting the tension.
The Myanmar junta has brought in heavy tanks, artillery guns, warships and a frigate along and near its border with Bangladesh while army and BDR men remained alert on the border.
:The Daily Star: Internet Edition
The Bay of Bengal Continental shelf: Bharat wants to deprive Bangladesh of the riches of the offhore treasures.
Myanmar brings in everything:Troops, tanks, warships, frigate to spread tension further
The Myanmar military brought in heavy tanks, artillery guns, 12 warships and a frigate along its border with Bangladesh in the last 24 hours ended yesterday evening as part of its preparation for a large-scale conflict with Bangladesh, sources at the Bangladesh Armed Forces said.
Bangladesh also has strengthened its military build-up in a bid to repulse a Myanmarese incursion by preparing 30 warships in Chittagong and Khulna, a Navy official stationed at Chittagong told The Daily Star.
However, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at a press conference yesterday rejected reports about the heavy military build-up by Myanmar along Bangladesh border, saying it is a routine movement of the security personnel.
“I had talks with our ambassador, an army officer, in Myanmar and he told me that it is a routine practice,” she said, adding, “Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes also called the Myanmar ambassador in Dhaka and the envoy conveyed him the same message.”
Ground reality did not support the foreign minister’s claim as various sources in the military, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and intelligence agencies said that the situation on the border remained tense.
“The situation at Bangladesh-Myanmar border has remained tense,” Major General Mainul Islam, director general (DG) of BDR, said last night.
The BDR DG met State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haq Tuku yesterday and ‘normally’ discussed the border situation.
“I am going to place some proposals tomorrow (Monday) to include construction of more Border Operations Outposts across the border and a few more battalions to strengthen the border guards,” he told The Daily Star.
An intelligence agency official said Myanmar has doubled its military presence at the border over the last couple of weeks, a move that has prompted Bangladesh to take similar measures.
“Myanmar has sent in 37/57mm artillery guns that will bring Chittagong under their firing range,” the Navy officer told The Daily Star after the foreign minister claimed normalcy at the border.
Based on the information so far gathered, we suspect that Myanmar is making preparation for a short-scale naval conflict, he said.
“Suspicious military preparations have been going on at the Myanmarese side of the border over the last two months,” an intelligence official said, adding that the Myanmar army has newly deployed two battle units at their side.
Earlier Myanmar had deployed nine Light Infantry Battalions in its border with Bangladesh. As part of their repeated provocative acts, the junta has violated international border rules and constructed illegal barbed wire fences along the frontier.
“We in the Bangladesh Navy suspect that Myanmar wants to intrude into our sea and declare a large chunk of area as their Maritime Exclusive Zone,” the Navy official said.
The Myanmar junta can intrude into the Bangladeshi waters any time to claim ten nautical miles area, which covers the disputed block, which is thought to be a big source of oil and natural gas, he said.
Sources said after Bangladesh’s maritime boundary talks with Myanmar ended inconclusively in April, Bangladesh Navy made a deployment plan last September and sent it to the government for immediate action.
The deployment plan urged the government to strengthen maritime patrol at the Bay of Bengal and arrange joint naval exercises with friendly countries.
Meanwhile, sources in Sittwe (formerly known as Akiab) said that Myanmarese Air Force Tatmadaw has stationed three fighter planes at the Sittwe airfield. Sittwe is only 80km away from Chittagong airport.
Twelve warships are constantly patrolling the Bay area, which borders Bangladesh, the sources added.
According to Bangladesh Navy sources, a new Myanmar navy frigate, built with the Chinese help at Yangon, has arrived at the Bay of Bengal.
“There have also been new tanks and armoured columns are pouring in using the 40km road that they have recently built,” said another Navy officer.
He said Bangladesh has kept around 30 warships standby in Chittagong and Khulna to repulse any Myanmarese incursion. “The Myanmarese army personnel are regularly infiltrating into Bangladesh territory in the guise of civilians to gather information.”
Briefing newsmen, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni also said she had no information about whether Myanmar’s border guards were trying to push Rohingya refugees across the border.
In reply to a question, the foreign minister said Myanmar is not violating international laws by erecting barbed wire fences along Bangladesh border as well. “Myanmar is constructing fences in their territory conforming to international laws,” she said.
Dipu Moni also said the movement of the Myanmar security forces has no link with Bangladesh’s decision to seek UN arbitration to determine maritime boundary between the two neighbouring countries.
Asked whether Bangladesh asked China to mediate to resolve the crisis, she replied that she had no idea about any official proposal in this regard.
Meanwhile, no new leave for the navy men are now being granted, as all leaves in the Bangladesh Navy have been restricted, sources at the navy said.
:The Daily Star: Internet Edition
Bharat wages proxy war on Bangladesh using Burma RUPEE NEWS: Recording History, Narrating Archives, Strategic Intellibrief Analysis: Noticias de Rupia | Nouvelles de Roupie | Rupiennachrichten | ??????? ????? | ???? | Rupi Nyhet
arihant
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Rupeenews. very good source for every hatred.
jaunty
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Bangladesh turned into a theatre of covert war
M. Shahidul Islam
The mismanagement of the AL-led regime is becoming as unruly like sliding potatoes from a derailed carriage. And, nowhere this drawback is as starkly evident as are in the fields of national defence and geopolitics.
The governments of India and Bangladesh are pursuing a strategy rather aggressively to connect Indian Northeast with the mainland via Bangladesh, without any profound thoughts having been accorded to the likely ramifications of such moves on our vital national interests.
In delving matters as serious as these, one must be candid. Fact is: Bangladesh has no interest in siding militarily with either of the global or regional protagonists at a time when our fundamental preoccupation should be the consolidation of national sovereignty as an upcoming nation of 150 million strong. Yet, when China and India are found to be preparing to lock horns in a military showdown which could end up with nuclear exchanges between the two military giants, Dhaka and Delhi are busy in paving ways for movement of Indian goods and merchandises to the troubled northeast via Bangladesh.
Many say that purported economic posturing is a mere fa硤e and the exterior of a menacing syndrome which has much to do with Indian military preparedness against China and, Delhi's desperate quest to emerge as a military super power. That is why the Bangladesh - India borders are being turned as staging posts and conduits for conveying military hardware and forces from mainland India to the troubled seven sisters, something that could trigger economic and military reprisals against Bangladesh from China and its regional allies.
There are signs that it could also provoke revenge attacks from the North Eastern insurgents fighting for decades to liberate themselves from Delhi's tutelage. That being the raw reality, so to speak, it comes as a surprise that, the grand connectivity scheme included in the proposed Asian highway aside, a cobweb of other connectivity dots are being hastily joined together at the strategic spots of the nation's mutual borders. These hasty moves have much to do with military preparation of India and the US against China and Myanmar, than with economic interest of Bangladesh, as is being touted.
Why Tripura? On October 5, concerned ministers and officials from Tripura and Bangladesh inaugurated a new land custom station at Feni-Belonia border while, within months, at least eight such custom stations are slated to be built along the 856 km. long, largely natural- barrier-free Tripura- Bangladesh border, according to a reliable source.
Although four of the northeastern states-Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram - share about 1,879 km border with Bangladesh, the extra priority being accorded to Tripura is for reasons which are purely geopolitical. Besides having accessible borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar-China lines of communication can be choked off from stronger military presence in Tripura alone.
The source says the other mapped out destinations of Bangladesh for uses as conduits for India's military manoeuvres are: Agartala-Dhaka (150 km); Kailashahr-Sylhet (90 km); Sabroom-Chittagong (75 km); Sonamura-Comilla (25 km).
Meanwhile, the Akhaurah land port, only 150 km east of Dhaka and just 5 km west of Tripura capital Agartala, has already been inaugurated as a common border port and is being geared as a major launching pad for trade, and, for troop manoeuvring between mainland India and Tripura via Bangladesh, when needed.
One of the other main undertakings in this grand strategy is to connect Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh to reduce over 1500 km distance between the two Indian cities into over 330 km, and, to connect Tripura's Sabroom with Chittagong port.
While the regime in Dhaka may either be ignorant of the consequences of these acts, or is beholden to foreign powers, the message from one of the secessionist leaders of India's Northeast could not be prompter and clearer. Barely 48 hours before the inauguration of the joint custom station at Feni-Belonia on October 5 by the Shipping and Commerce Ministers of Bangladesh and an Indian counterpart, Ranjan Daimary alias D R Nabla, president of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), said in a statement, "I would like to request the government of Bangladesh to extend helping hands in our struggle for freedom."
In a rare display of emotion by any separatist leader of his likes, Nabla said, "If our people have helped Bangladeshis on all counts for freedom from Pakistan without questioning their legitimacy or whatsoever, it becomes an obligation for the people and the government of Bangladesh too to help us in our freedom struggle against India."
Nabla added, "Particularly, I would like to request the security forces of Bangladesh not to harass or arrest our cadres and members when they sometimes cross to Bangladesh for their safety and security." The rebel leader turned nostalgic when he claimed, "Even my parents had adopted a destitute and hapless young Bangladeshi boy in 1972. His name was Quiddos Mia."
Like many other insurgent groups operating in the troubled region, the NDFB has been fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe of Assam since 1986 and the statement of Nabla coincided with the celebration of the NDFB's 23 years of founding anniversary.
Beijing & Washington
According to Assam Police, Nabla has also appealed last week to the Chinese government for help. This assertion is reinforced by other sources within India who claim, "Daimary (Nabla) has made a simultaneous request to Beijing to take immediate action "on the basis of recommendations of Zhan Lue of the China International Institute of Strategic Studies (CIISS) who has suggested earlier that India as a whole should be divided into 20-30 nation states on ethnic lines for rapid development and modernization of the region."
Beijing has, however, made it clear that its government has got nothing to do with Lue's theory. Meanwhile, as the ministers and officials of Bangladesh and India busied themselves in connecting dots at the common borders on October 5, the US embassy in Dhaka declared that the U.S. and Bangladesh military forces would participate in a joint military exercise? along the country's coastal region to increase what the embassy official said counter terrorism capabilities.
Codenamed "Tiger Shark," the military manoeuvre is slated to last through November. Another US embassy official was quoted earlier for having said, "Units from the Bangladesh Navy and the U.S. military will train on counter terrorism and combating piracy and maritime and coastal threats during this exercise." Whatever intent the joint Bangladesh-US naval exercise may possess, those who spend valuable times in observing such matters are in no doubt that the exercise carries some message for China and its close ally, Myanmar. It also acquired further importance when, the following day (October 06), Ambassador James Moriarty personally met with Prime Minister Hasina. Although the meeting had apparently produced a message for BNP leaders to join the parliament, in reality, it had much to do with the bubbling geopolitical tension intensifying between India and China, according to sources.
Besides, the military dimension of the upcoming US- Bangladesh exercise is illustrated by the composition of forces from the host nation, Bangladesh, which is known to be preparing its elite Special Warfare Dive and Salvage units to join the manoeuvre.
A nuclear Myanmar?
While these dangers lurk around, some observers are getting impatient about the AL-led regime's not being mindful and cognizant of other serious developments which are on the verge of re-shaping the geopolitical landscape of the entire region. One of such events is the recent disclosure that Myanmar is about to test a nuclear device. The Sydney Morning Herald reported recently that Myanmar appears to be establishing nuclear facilities with help from North Korea and Russia, possibly with the intent of producing nuclear weapons. If true, Yangon's possession of nuclear arsenal will tilt the balance of forces by having in China's side allies like nuclear armed North Korea, Russia, Pakistan, and, perhaps, Iran too.
Quoting two Burmese defectors who had disclosed details of the scheme to an Australian strategic studies analyst, Desmond Ball, and a Thailand-based journalist, Phil Thornton, some reports revealed that Yangon's military regime has secretly constructed a reactor at Naung Laing that would encompass reprocessing technology designed to extract weapon-grade plutonium. Besides, a command and control facility for a nuclear-weapon program was reportedly prepared at a nearby underground location and members of the military nuclear battalion were working in the area, said one of the defectors.
Economic mirage
Based on such realities, one can hardly attach any credence to the claim of prospective economic dividend by our government from the hastily arranged connectivity schemes with India's Northeast. Besides, unbridled smuggling aside, official bilateral trade has been on the rise since the coming to power of a caretaker regime in late 2007, resulting in more and more trade imbalance for Bangladesh.
According to an official of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), total bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh grew from $2.56 billion in 2006-07 to $3.616 billion in 2007-08. While that may seem like a positive thing, the underlying facts are too sobering for Bangladesh, and getting worse further. According to another official of the Bangladesh's Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), "Bangladesh's trade gap with India has increased to $ 2,566.42 million in 2008-09," which include the first six months tenure of the incumbent regime.
This too is prompting many to question further the true intent of the government in rushing toward moves that are geopolitically self-destructive and economically elusive.
HOLIDAY > FRONT PAGE
M. Shahidul Islam
The mismanagement of the AL-led regime is becoming as unruly like sliding potatoes from a derailed carriage. And, nowhere this drawback is as starkly evident as are in the fields of national defence and geopolitics.
The governments of India and Bangladesh are pursuing a strategy rather aggressively to connect Indian Northeast with the mainland via Bangladesh, without any profound thoughts having been accorded to the likely ramifications of such moves on our vital national interests.
In delving matters as serious as these, one must be candid. Fact is: Bangladesh has no interest in siding militarily with either of the global or regional protagonists at a time when our fundamental preoccupation should be the consolidation of national sovereignty as an upcoming nation of 150 million strong. Yet, when China and India are found to be preparing to lock horns in a military showdown which could end up with nuclear exchanges between the two military giants, Dhaka and Delhi are busy in paving ways for movement of Indian goods and merchandises to the troubled northeast via Bangladesh.
Many say that purported economic posturing is a mere fa硤e and the exterior of a menacing syndrome which has much to do with Indian military preparedness against China and, Delhi's desperate quest to emerge as a military super power. That is why the Bangladesh - India borders are being turned as staging posts and conduits for conveying military hardware and forces from mainland India to the troubled seven sisters, something that could trigger economic and military reprisals against Bangladesh from China and its regional allies.
There are signs that it could also provoke revenge attacks from the North Eastern insurgents fighting for decades to liberate themselves from Delhi's tutelage. That being the raw reality, so to speak, it comes as a surprise that, the grand connectivity scheme included in the proposed Asian highway aside, a cobweb of other connectivity dots are being hastily joined together at the strategic spots of the nation's mutual borders. These hasty moves have much to do with military preparation of India and the US against China and Myanmar, than with economic interest of Bangladesh, as is being touted.
Why Tripura? On October 5, concerned ministers and officials from Tripura and Bangladesh inaugurated a new land custom station at Feni-Belonia border while, within months, at least eight such custom stations are slated to be built along the 856 km. long, largely natural- barrier-free Tripura- Bangladesh border, according to a reliable source.
Although four of the northeastern states-Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram - share about 1,879 km border with Bangladesh, the extra priority being accorded to Tripura is for reasons which are purely geopolitical. Besides having accessible borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar-China lines of communication can be choked off from stronger military presence in Tripura alone.
The source says the other mapped out destinations of Bangladesh for uses as conduits for India's military manoeuvres are: Agartala-Dhaka (150 km); Kailashahr-Sylhet (90 km); Sabroom-Chittagong (75 km); Sonamura-Comilla (25 km).
Meanwhile, the Akhaurah land port, only 150 km east of Dhaka and just 5 km west of Tripura capital Agartala, has already been inaugurated as a common border port and is being geared as a major launching pad for trade, and, for troop manoeuvring between mainland India and Tripura via Bangladesh, when needed.
One of the other main undertakings in this grand strategy is to connect Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh to reduce over 1500 km distance between the two Indian cities into over 330 km, and, to connect Tripura's Sabroom with Chittagong port.
While the regime in Dhaka may either be ignorant of the consequences of these acts, or is beholden to foreign powers, the message from one of the secessionist leaders of India's Northeast could not be prompter and clearer. Barely 48 hours before the inauguration of the joint custom station at Feni-Belonia on October 5 by the Shipping and Commerce Ministers of Bangladesh and an Indian counterpart, Ranjan Daimary alias D R Nabla, president of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), said in a statement, "I would like to request the government of Bangladesh to extend helping hands in our struggle for freedom."
In a rare display of emotion by any separatist leader of his likes, Nabla said, "If our people have helped Bangladeshis on all counts for freedom from Pakistan without questioning their legitimacy or whatsoever, it becomes an obligation for the people and the government of Bangladesh too to help us in our freedom struggle against India."
Nabla added, "Particularly, I would like to request the security forces of Bangladesh not to harass or arrest our cadres and members when they sometimes cross to Bangladesh for their safety and security." The rebel leader turned nostalgic when he claimed, "Even my parents had adopted a destitute and hapless young Bangladeshi boy in 1972. His name was Quiddos Mia."
Like many other insurgent groups operating in the troubled region, the NDFB has been fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe of Assam since 1986 and the statement of Nabla coincided with the celebration of the NDFB's 23 years of founding anniversary.
Beijing & Washington
According to Assam Police, Nabla has also appealed last week to the Chinese government for help. This assertion is reinforced by other sources within India who claim, "Daimary (Nabla) has made a simultaneous request to Beijing to take immediate action "on the basis of recommendations of Zhan Lue of the China International Institute of Strategic Studies (CIISS) who has suggested earlier that India as a whole should be divided into 20-30 nation states on ethnic lines for rapid development and modernization of the region."
Beijing has, however, made it clear that its government has got nothing to do with Lue's theory. Meanwhile, as the ministers and officials of Bangladesh and India busied themselves in connecting dots at the common borders on October 5, the US embassy in Dhaka declared that the U.S. and Bangladesh military forces would participate in a joint military exercise? along the country's coastal region to increase what the embassy official said counter terrorism capabilities.
Codenamed "Tiger Shark," the military manoeuvre is slated to last through November. Another US embassy official was quoted earlier for having said, "Units from the Bangladesh Navy and the U.S. military will train on counter terrorism and combating piracy and maritime and coastal threats during this exercise." Whatever intent the joint Bangladesh-US naval exercise may possess, those who spend valuable times in observing such matters are in no doubt that the exercise carries some message for China and its close ally, Myanmar. It also acquired further importance when, the following day (October 06), Ambassador James Moriarty personally met with Prime Minister Hasina. Although the meeting had apparently produced a message for BNP leaders to join the parliament, in reality, it had much to do with the bubbling geopolitical tension intensifying between India and China, according to sources.
Besides, the military dimension of the upcoming US- Bangladesh exercise is illustrated by the composition of forces from the host nation, Bangladesh, which is known to be preparing its elite Special Warfare Dive and Salvage units to join the manoeuvre.
A nuclear Myanmar?
While these dangers lurk around, some observers are getting impatient about the AL-led regime's not being mindful and cognizant of other serious developments which are on the verge of re-shaping the geopolitical landscape of the entire region. One of such events is the recent disclosure that Myanmar is about to test a nuclear device. The Sydney Morning Herald reported recently that Myanmar appears to be establishing nuclear facilities with help from North Korea and Russia, possibly with the intent of producing nuclear weapons. If true, Yangon's possession of nuclear arsenal will tilt the balance of forces by having in China's side allies like nuclear armed North Korea, Russia, Pakistan, and, perhaps, Iran too.
Quoting two Burmese defectors who had disclosed details of the scheme to an Australian strategic studies analyst, Desmond Ball, and a Thailand-based journalist, Phil Thornton, some reports revealed that Yangon's military regime has secretly constructed a reactor at Naung Laing that would encompass reprocessing technology designed to extract weapon-grade plutonium. Besides, a command and control facility for a nuclear-weapon program was reportedly prepared at a nearby underground location and members of the military nuclear battalion were working in the area, said one of the defectors.
Economic mirage
Based on such realities, one can hardly attach any credence to the claim of prospective economic dividend by our government from the hastily arranged connectivity schemes with India's Northeast. Besides, unbridled smuggling aside, official bilateral trade has been on the rise since the coming to power of a caretaker regime in late 2007, resulting in more and more trade imbalance for Bangladesh.
According to an official of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), total bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh grew from $2.56 billion in 2006-07 to $3.616 billion in 2007-08. While that may seem like a positive thing, the underlying facts are too sobering for Bangladesh, and getting worse further. According to another official of the Bangladesh's Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), "Bangladesh's trade gap with India has increased to $ 2,566.42 million in 2008-09," which include the first six months tenure of the incumbent regime.
This too is prompting many to question further the true intent of the government in rushing toward moves that are geopolitically self-destructive and economically elusive.
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leonblack08
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This proves our little FM Dipu moni is worthless.
Army Chief Lt Gen Abdul Mubin yesterday visited the tension-gripped Alikadam area of the district, which is close to Myanmar border, to see the latest border situation.
The army chief made the surprise visit at about 3:00pm and talked to the army officers there.
Meanwhile, a frigate of Bangladesh Navy BNS Abu Bakar is now patrolling the sea near the disputed area where Myanmar had tried to rig last November for exploration purposes, said a navy officer stationed in Chittagong.
“A warship is accompanying the frigate,” he said wishing anonymity. The situation on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has remained tense, he added.
Bangladesh has strengthened military build-up on its border as Myanmar deployed huge troops on their side and resorted to various provocative acts, fomenting the tension.
The Myanmar junta has brought in heavy tanks, artillery guns, warships and a frigate along and near its border with Bangladesh while army and BDR men remained alert on the border.
The Daily Star - Details News
Army chief visits border
Our Correspondent, BandarbanArmy Chief Lt Gen Abdul Mubin yesterday visited the tension-gripped Alikadam area of the district, which is close to Myanmar border, to see the latest border situation.
The army chief made the surprise visit at about 3:00pm and talked to the army officers there.
Meanwhile, a frigate of Bangladesh Navy BNS Abu Bakar is now patrolling the sea near the disputed area where Myanmar had tried to rig last November for exploration purposes, said a navy officer stationed in Chittagong.
“A warship is accompanying the frigate,” he said wishing anonymity. The situation on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has remained tense, he added.
Bangladesh has strengthened military build-up on its border as Myanmar deployed huge troops on their side and resorted to various provocative acts, fomenting the tension.
The Myanmar junta has brought in heavy tanks, artillery guns, warships and a frigate along and near its border with Bangladesh while army and BDR men remained alert on the border.
The Daily Star - Details News
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third eye
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No offense meant , but if you feel your FM is worthless what advantage would you get by posting comments on a Pakistani forum ?
leonblack08
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If we thought about advantage,why the hell are we even discussing in Internet?
This is discussion forum,we are free to discuss.
And its not only in PDF,but everyone is critical of FM.She has not been successful.Our PM said there will be a revaluation of the performance,I just hope she takes the right decision and replace Dipu Moni ASAP.
Now why she is worthless,because the situation is so tensed here,and she is saying its nothing but routine exercise.What would you say to your FM,if Pakistan builds up troops near border and you FM said its nothing to worry??
I got my brother posted at CTG ,and I am worried about him.
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