China, not India, builds a bridge in Bangladesh, but Modi govt believes all is not lost yet

[Black_cats]

China, not India, builds a bridge in Bangladesh, but Modi govt believes all is not lost yet

Sheikh Hasina will join Modi in a summit to mark Bangladesh's 50th independence anniversary, just when Dhaka has told Beijing to get lost or pay up for Chinese Covid vaccine trials.

JYOTI MALHOTRA15 December, 2020

File image of Indian PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina | Photo: PIB

One week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina join a virtual summit on 17 December to commemorate the beginning of the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, engineers and workers of the China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co, along with their Bangladeshi counterparts, laid the final span of the 6.15-km-long Padma bridge.

It was a huge day for Bangladesh. The media witnessed the historic occasion. Mahfuz Anam, editor of Bangladesh’s biggest English-language newspaper The Daily Star and a ‘muktijoddha’, a freedom-fighter himself, who has often been critical of Hasina’s government, put it succinctly:


“It was Bangabandhu’s “political will” that contributed so much to Bangladesh’s birth. Similarly, it is Sheikh Hasina’s political will that lies at the core of the Padma Bridge becoming a reality. It was her single-minded determination to build it and the courage to overcome many of the vicissitudes that befell it…” Anam said.

Also read: Don’t go by IMF prediction, Bangladesh hasn’t beaten India as South Asia’s economic champion

The bridge on the river Padma
In many ways, it is the story of this two-level steel truss Padma bridge — which will carry a four-lane highway on the upper level and a single railway track on the lower level — that defines how China has pushed its way into South Asia and replaced India’s overweening influence in the region. And nowhere is this more evident – or ironical – than in Bangladesh, where India is finally stepping up its game, after years of lassitude, because it was so over-confident of its deep ties with a neighbour it helped achieve independence.

As long back as 2011, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced a $1 billion line of credit to help build the bridge over the Padma river, which begins where the Hooghly ends and whose fertile alluvium sustains millions of people; this would be added to Bangladesh’s own $3 billion, which it would borrow from international aid agencies.

But the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan’s loan arm JICA had other ideas. By 2013, they pulled out on charges of corruption. Mad as hell at their “arrogance” and “high-handedness”, Hasina withdrew her own application. The “deep wound to our self-respect” would push Hasina to say, according to Anam, that “We will have to shrug off our begging mentality.” It wasn’t quite “atmanirbhar.” Hasina was really looking for friends with deep pockets.

By June 2015, when Narendra Modi went to Dhaka, the India story hadn’t moved. So, Delhi disbursed a $200 million grant and offered another $2 billion credit to jumpstart the project. It wasn’t enough. China Railway Bridge, which had won the tender meanwhile, began work in December 2015. In October 2016, Xi Jinping landed in Dhaka, the first trip by a Chinese president in 30 years, and signed off on $24 billion worth of credit. In September 2017, the first of 42 spans was laid between pillars 37 and 38.

Time to build new bridges

It’s not, though, as if one bridge can make or break a relationship. The Modi government is now stepping up the charge, offering to revamp a dysfunctional railway line (as old as 1965, when Bangladesh was still part of Pakistan) from Chilahati-Haldibari, among other connectivity projects. Construction has finally begun on a petroleum pipeline, promised in 2018, from Siliguri to Dinajpur. As much as $10 billion credit is likely when Modi visits Dhaka to be part of Bangladesh’s 50th independence day celebrations.

But what is significant is the change of mood in Dhaka. PM Sheikh Hasina has shown herself to be the ultimate realist in South Asia, openly flirting with the Chinese, even though China sided with Pakistan in the 1971 war; in fact, China even vetoed Bangladesh’s application for UN membership in 1972.

So, on the one hand, Hasina will participate in a virtual summit with Modi on 17 December, and on the other is ready to expand Bangladesh’s participation in Xi Jinping’s Belt & Road Project.

Observers say she wants to send a message to Delhi that she won’t forget Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s description of Bangladeshis as “deemak (termites)” who should be thrown into the Bay of Bengal. Moreover, there is the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which promises to disbar Muslim “Bangladeshis” from becoming Indian citizens – a constant source of concern in Dhaka, even though Indian officials have repeatedly said that both NRC and CAA are domestic considerations.

Moreover, unlike India, China’s economy doesn’t seem to have been as badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) data recently showed that Bangladesh had actually outstripped India in its per capita GDP income, although India had a 25 per cent lead only five years ago. This led Bangladeshi economist Ashikur Rehman to say that the “alleged termite factory is shining.”

Still, all is not lost. Bangladesh has recently told China to get lost or pay up for the trials of the Chinese Covid vaccine in Bangladesh, while signing an agreement with India’s Serum Institute to buy three crore doses.

The moral of the story is that the Modi government cannot allow the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s ideological agenda to ride roughshod over the national imperative. India’s foreign policy, especially in a hugely important and deeply sensitive neighbourhood, is far too important to be left to party considerations. Modi must insist that Bangladesh is a credible exception to any rule.

Views are personal.

China, not India, builds a bridge in Bangladesh, but Modi govt believes all is not lost yet

Sheikh Hasina will join Modi in a summit to mark Bangladesh's 50th independence anniversary, just when Dhaka has told Beijing to get lost or pay up for Chinese Covid vaccine trials.

www.google.com

 

[Figaro]

A very lost person will not believe he is lost

 

[Saiful Islam]

That's it cute little tea talks with modi every now and then in her Sharis whilst the big boy contracts get signed with the Chinese.

Less talk more action

 

[bluesky]

China, not India, builds a bridge in Bangladesh, but Modi govt believes all is not lost yet

However, it is clear that Bangladesh is unable to build its own infrastructures, be it railway or bridge. It is playing India against China to do the infrastructure development.

No country has ever developed without the participation of its own people. Do you guys really think BD will be an exemption from that trend?

 

[mb444]

However, it is clear that Bangladesh is unable to build its own infrastructures, be it railway or bridge. It is playing India against China to do the infrastructure development.

No country has ever developed without the participation of its own people. Do you guys really think BD will be an exemption from that trend?

I think padma bridge proves BD can push through its own projects and get financing.

But there is a technical deficit that needs to be addressed.

The picture remains BD simply does not collect enough taxes. Unlikely to change anytime soon and we will be relient on foreign financing.

On this specific project, indians are grasping at straws. A train line works both ways. The vulnerability of the chicken neck remains for them and infact makes the situation worse. It will enable BD to move troops and equipment prior to a of conflict easily and we can always disable it at will during conflict. During peacetime it will also enable BD to excercise strategic control over the area.

In some ways its a win win. Both india and BD has more reasons to coorporate as interdependence on each other increases.

 

[fallstuff]

However, it is clear that Bangladesh is unable to build its own infrastructures, be it railway or bridge. It is playing India against China to do the infrastructure development.

No country has ever developed without the participation of its own people. Do you guys really think BD will be an exemption from that trend?

Have you been to UAE , that entire country has been built by the outsiders !
No, oil didn't build all that.

Saudis have oil, but the country was built by the foreigners.

 

[bluesky]

Have you been to UAE , that entire country has been built by the outsiders !
No, oil didn't build all that.

Saudis have oil, but the country was built by the foreigners.

You are assuming that because UAE has a few attractive high rise buildings, therefore, it is a developed country. No, UAE is a high income country because it has huge oil fields, but is not a developed country when its own manpower remains non-productive.

It exports oil and asks European companies to do quite a few attractive building projects that the UAE people cannot even maintain. However, we can forgive UAE because it has only a few number of citizens.

But, I have been to Nigeria for two short stays. It sells oil and asks the European to build roads, highways and ports, and I found that country is unable to do the maintenance works of those same infrastructures.

It is because the Europeans build these, take away the Contract money and leave. Now, Nigerians do not know how to repair the traffic lights or the broken roads or highways.

We are following the footsteps of Nigeria and another country west of India. These countries are already suffering and our sufferings will start after a few more years unless we gear our development works with our own money and manpower.

I give you one example, that is WASA water distribution system. BD is unable to refurbish it because the govt has failed to create experienced private companies to do the job. It is same every where. Think of traffic light or road repairing system in Dhaka. Or think of waterlogging every year.

Our govt is doing some superficial projects to create a kind of euphoria among the citizens.

 

[Saiful Islam]

You are assuming that because UAE has a few attractive high rise buildings, therefore, it is a developed country. No, UAE is a high income country because it has huge oil fields, but is not a developed country when its own manpower remains non-productive.

It exports oil and asks European companies to do quite a few attractive building projects that the UAE people cannot even maintain. However, we can forgive UAE because it has only a few number of citizens.

But, I have been to Nigeria for two short stays. It sells oil and asks the European to build roads, highways and ports, and I found that country is unable to do the maintenance works of those same infrastructures.

It is because the Europeans build these, take away the Contract money and leave. Now, Nigerians do not know how to repair the traffic lights or the broken roads or highways.

We are following the footsteps of Nigeria and another country west of India. These countries are already suffering and our sufferings will start after a few more years unless we gear our development works with our own money and manpower.

I give you one example, that is WASA water distribution system. BD is unable to refurbish it because the govt has failed to create experienced private companies to do the job. It is same every where. Think of traffic light or road repairing system in Dhaka. Or think of waterlogging every year.

Our govt is doing some superficial projects to create a kind of euphoria among the citizens.

This sounds serious maybe this message needs to be relayed to the people in charge or they don't care?

 

[Destranator]

However, it is clear that Bangladesh is unable to build its own infrastructures, be it railway or bridge. It is playing India against China to do the infrastructure development.

No country has ever developed without the participation of its own people. Do you guys really think BD will be an exemption from that trend?

You are assuming that because UAE has a few attractive high rise buildings, therefore, it is a developed country. No, UAE is a high income country because it has huge oil fields, but is not a developed country when its own manpower remains non-productive.

It exports oil and asks European companies to do quite a few attractive building projects that the UAE people cannot even maintain. However, we can forgive UAE because it has only a few number of citizens.

But, I have been to Nigeria for two short stays. It sells oil and asks the European to build roads, highways and ports, and I found that country is unable to do the maintenance works of those same infrastructures.

It is because the Europeans build these, take away the Contract money and leave. Now, Nigerians do not know how to repair the traffic lights or the broken roads or highways.

We are following the footsteps of Nigeria and another country west of India. These countries are already suffering and our sufferings will start after a few more years unless we gear our development works with our own money and manpower.

I give you one example, that is WASA water distribution system. BD is unable to refurbish it because the govt has failed to create experienced private companies to do the job. It is same every where. Think of traffic light or road repairing system in Dhaka. Or think of waterlogging every year.

Our govt is doing some superficial projects to create a kind of euphoria among the citizens.

You keep regurgitating the same bullshit again and again. In every infrastructure project the majority of workers employed are Bangladeshi. While foreign companies serve as managing contractors, numerous local engineering/construction firms work as subcontractors. Now you may ask why can't we manage contracts ourselves? It is because your favourite BNP and Jatiyo Party morons hardly got anything done when they were in charge. The vast majority of major infrastructure projects have been undertaken in the last 25 years or so.
It takes decades to develop skills; give it time. 25 years is nothing.

ECB and Abdul Monem have built flyovers themselves. Eventually we will build bigger things ourselves.

Bangladesh has the need for dozens of additional cross river infrastructure. At some point we will build some ourselves.

It is hypocritical of you to criticise major infrastructure projects as white elephants while living in a country which was propelled to advancement by infrastructure building. You think Japanese manufacturing could have flourished by transporting goods on ferries and dirt roads?
The US literally spoonfed technology to modern Japan in its early days. The Japanese then worked hard and eventually outshone the Americans.

 

[Globenim]

Is the entire Indian media just made of insuffereable and insecure rambling and coping?
Chinese media just reported a milestone in another major bridge built in Bangladesh with Chinse partners and support and suddenly the usual two or three days later you have Indian media claiming how China isnt building bridgers in Bangladesh but India totally is.

India is flooded and thousands displaced. Indian media: China is flooded and millions displaced says fake source!
Indians fall off a cliff and die. Indian media: Much more Chinese fall over cliff and die says fake source!
China takes land back from India. Indian media: China retreats from Indian land says fake source!
Indians scramble to buy winter gear. Indian media: China scramble for winter gear says fake source!
Indians a freezing to death. Indian media: Chinese are freezing to death says fake source!

 

[siegecrossbow]

Mind your own business.

 

[bluesky]

The US literally spoonfed technology to modern Japan in its early days. The Japanese then worked hard and eventually outshone the Americans.

Do you ever read the development history of other countries, especially that of Japan? How about Japan participating in WWl in 1914? How about its capturing of Taiwan in 1895, Korea in 1910 and Chinese Manchuria in 1931? How about annihilating Russian navy, the strongest in those days, in 1905 in the East Japan Sea? All these by American help?

Do you think it was possible to do so without industrializing the country? No country ever spoon-fed Japan. At the start of Meiji Restoration on January 3, 1868, Japanese leaders felt their country was 200 years behind Europe and it had to catch up with them.

So, they started infrastructure development with the help of European companies, especially the British, by selling its silk, gold and copper stocks, and paying in cash. There was no existence of free money from foreign credits, IMF, WB, ADB and many lending agencies in those days. It was all self-help.

So, Japan put into effect a system whereby the local engineering companies learned from the German, British or Netherland engineering companies. The next phases of development were all done by these same Japanese companies that learned from the foreign companies. No spoon feeding by others.

Its first railway, a 29km Tokyo-Yokohama stretch, was done by a British company in 1872. Today, Japan has more than 27,000 km of rail lines. Do you think, America came and built this? All were done by Japan. By its own technology and efforts, Japan developed the high-speed Shinkansen Bullet trains, the first ever in the world,

So, there was no American speed-feeding. It is true even after WWll. American Marshall Plan money (130 billion dollar in today's money) was used to help European countries, but, was not extended to an Asian country, Japan. Japan did everything by itself and also helped its colonies in Asia to industrialize during its stay there. Read that history by yourself.

Bangladesh is being spoon-fed for the last 73 years since 1947. Yet, it remains the most underdeveloped country because since 1971 it is following a wrong policy of non-development of its own manpower and technology.

I do not see any reason BD will ever develop. Morning shows the day. And I do not see any signs of a bright morning. And we should know that a few infrastructure projects done by India and China are no recipe for development.

Notes: You have the full right not to like my posts, but, you have no right to abuse me for expressing my own viewpoints. Please refrain from abusing.

 

[Saiful Islam]

Do you ever read the development history of other countries, especially that of Japan? How about Japan participating in WWl in 1914? How about its capturing of Taiwan in 1895, Korea in 1910 and Chinese Manchuria in 1931? How about annihilating Russian navy, the strongest in those days, in 1905 in the East Japan Sea? All these by American help?

Do you think it was possible to do so without industrializing the country? No country ever spoon-fed Japan. At the start of Meiji Restoration on January 3, 1868, Japanese leaders felt their country was 200 years behind Europe and it had to catch up with them.

So, they started infrastructure development with the help of European companies, especially the British, by selling its gold and copper stocks, and paying in cash. There was no existence of free money from foreign credits, IMF, WB, ADB and many lending agencies in those days. It was all self-help.

So, Japan put into effect a system whereby the local engineering companies learned from the German, British or Netherland engineering companies. The next phases of development were all done by these same Japanese companies that learned from the foreign companies. No spoon feeding by others.

Its first railway, a 29km Tokyo-Yokohama stretch, was done by a British company in 1872. Today, Japan has more than 27,000 km of rail lines. Do you think, America came and built this? All were done by Japan. By its own technology and efforts, Japan developed the high-speed Shinkansen Bullet trains, the first ever in the world,

So, there was no American speed-feeding. It is true even after WWll. American Marshall Plan money (130 billion dollar in today's money) was used to help European countries, but, was not extended to an Asian country, Japan. Japan did everything by itself and also helped its colonies in Asia to industrialize during its stay there. Read that history by yourself.

Bangladesh is being spoon-fed for the last 73 years since 1947. Yet, it remains the most underdeveloped country because since 1971 it is following a wrong policy of non-development of its own manpower and technology.

I do not see any reason BD will ever develop. Morning shows the day. And I do not see any signs of a bright morning. And we should know that a few infrastructure projects done by India and China are no recipe for development.

Notes: You have the full right not to like my posts, but, you have no right to abuse me for expressing my own viewpoints. Please refrain from abusing.

Bro go relay your views to the government/cabinet ministers, you make sense

 

[Bilal9]

Bluesky koia disey Bangladesher kono future nai.

Ekhon aamra jai koi?

Aab keya hoga re Kaliya?

 

[fallstuff]

You are assuming that because UAE has a few attractive high rise buildings, therefore, it is a developed country. No, UAE is a high income country because it has huge oil fields, but is not a developed country when its own manpower remains non-productive.

It exports oil and asks European companies to do quite a few attractive building projects that the UAE people cannot even maintain. However, we can forgive UAE because it has only a few number of citizens.

But, I have been to Nigeria for two short stays. It sells oil and asks the European to build roads, highways and ports, and I found that country is unable to do the maintenance works of those same infrastructures.

It is because the Europeans build these, take away the Contract money and leave. Now, Nigerians do not know how to repair the traffic lights or the broken roads or highways.

We are following the footsteps of Nigeria and another country west of India. These countries are already suffering and our sufferings will start after a few more years unless we gear our development works with our own money and manpower.

I give you one example, that is WASA water distribution system. BD is unable to refurbish it because the govt has failed to create experienced private companies to do the job. It is same every where. Think of traffic light or road repairing system in Dhaka. Or think of waterlogging every year.

Our govt is doing some superficial projects to create a kind of euphoria among the citizens.

Nigeria and Mexico has decent amount of oil, however Nigeria has not developed and Mexico is semi-developed. I am not mentioning Venezuela and Iran as both are under sanctions.

What is needed for any country to develop most is respect for property rights, in other words good law and order. You will find that in EA nations and in UAE also in Saudi Arabia. ME folks were not good in management so they hired all the top management ( tax free income lured loads of skilled people ) folks from England while the Arabs maintained law and order.