Excl: America eyes Bangladesh

[eastwatch]

Having USA in BoB will not make any difference to China. Just look at the map. When you are worried about getting surrounded by China actually you will be surrounded by USA.

I dont support permanent base in BoB. We need to take care of our own security. USA might give us 200, F-15, 10 Submarines and some other tools so that we do the job on their behalf in BoB.

Yes, you are right. No doubt, many US equipments will be forthcoming to Bangladesh. A treaty to facilitate US military will not be a dry one without weapons. BD military top brass will not allow the govt to sign such a treaty without any material gain for the country.

In lieu of its good overtures towards USA, India remains basically in the Russian block. With a military facility in BD, USA implies a China triangulation only to appease India. US-BD military alliance may well mean a triangulation of India. Other points of triangulation are Pakistan, Diego Garcia and SL. India has now been completely caged within itself.

BD really needs a very strong navy for the protection of not only the BoB, but also its mainland. One weak point is the narrow strip of land between Tripura and the sea. At a time of hostility India may threat us with a double punch, a naval attack from sea and a land attack from Tripura that will separate the entire CTG zone from the mainland.

Perhaps USA understands this and has already installed radar stations somewhere at Kuakata and Cox's Bazaar to observe Indian naval movement. But, BN needs a strong navy as a deterrent.

 

[LeGenD]

Are we objecting for emotional reasons or on the basis of national interest. Let us be clear about this first. I assume if emotional then this probably has something to do with the Muslim Ummah and US involvement in the Middle East. This has not stopped Muslim countries in North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia or the Far East from permitting basing rights so what are we exactly objecting to here? Let us be very precise about this.

Exactly.

Their is no room for emotions in strategic and national matters.

This is a window of opportunity for Bangladesh. Your country needs powerful allies to keep India in check in the near future.

 

[kobiraaz]

only idiots will befriend USA against China at this point exactly when china and her ally Russia have started to play greater role on international arena....... USA is far away, China is a neighbour... If it is between china and usa, of course china is more reliable.... Specially when india is the common enemy!

 

[R0H1T]

Yes, you are right. No doubt, many US equipments will be forthcoming to Bangladesh. A treaty to facilitate US military will not be a dry one without weapons. BD military top brass will not allow the govt to sign such a treaty without any material gain for the country.

In lieu of its good overtures towards USA, India remains basically in the Russian block. With a military facility in BD, USA implies a China triangulation only to appease India. US-BD military alliance may well mean a triangulation of India. Other points of triangulation are Pakistan, Diego Garcia and SL. India has now been completely caged within itself.

BD really needs a very strong navy for the protection of not only the BoB, but also its mainland. One weak point is the narrow strip of land between Tripura and the sea. At a time of hostility India may threat us with a double punch, a naval attack from sea and a land attack from Tripura that will separate the entire CTG zone from the mainland.

Perhaps USA understands this and has already installed radar stations somewhere at Kuakata and Cox's Bazaar to observe Indian naval movement. But, BN needs a strong navy as a deterrent.

Uh oh so basically what you're saying is incase of a conflict with CN you'll let your nation go bust just to be the US' lackeys, great move

only idiots will befriend USA against China at this point exactly when china and her ally Russia have started to play greater role on international arena....... USA is far away, China is a neighbour... If it is between china and usa, of course china is more reliable.... Specially when india is the common enemy!

This is where the old PAK mentality comes in, our enemy's(IND) enemy is a "natural all weather" ally !

 

[LeGenD]

only idiots will befriend USA against China at this point exactly when china and her ally Russia have started to play greater role on international arena....... USA is far away, China is a neighbour... If it is between china and usa, of course china is more reliable.... Specially when india is the common enemy!

Bro, I would not declare US allies as idiots. US has maintained allies not just in Middle East but also among Chinese neighbours. China-containment policy is in full swing in current times.

India is getting close to US and is also an emerging power. This development should be in focus.

Of course, it is possible to maintain beneficial relationship with both China and US.

 

[TopCat]

only idiots will befriend USA against China at this point exactly when china and her ally Russia have started to play greater role on international arena....... USA is far away, China is a neighbour... If it is between china and usa, of course china is more reliable.... Specially when india is the common enemy!

The game is more complex than what you stated.

Russia is a ally of India again they are ally of India's enemy China.
India is ally of USA again they are ally of Russia.
India is a ally of USA yet it supports China and Russia in a lot of different avenue.

Dont you think its a big mess? You dont know who is with whom now a days, because there is no polarization in today's world. I dont think China will mind BD's relation with USA neither USA mind BD allying with China.

 

[kobiraaz]

The game is more complex than what you stated.

Russia is a ally of India again they are ally of India's enemy China.
India is ally of USA again they are ally of Russia.
India is a ally of USA yet it supports China and Russia in a lot of different avenue.

Dont you think its a big mess? You dont know who is with whom now a days, because there is no polarization in today's world. I dont think China will mind BD's relation with USA neither USA mind BD allying with China.

China will not mind if USA keeps her 7th fleet in Bay of Bengal? Yeah i know, Its complex. Thats why i am not supporting anyone.... Our current policy is better, no need to change it...

 

[saroshshahid]

there should be strict check by the govenrment and the arm forces on the USA as china is trustable but the USA is not though allying with usa has great economical benefits too.

 

[LeGenD]

there should be strict check by the govenrment and the arm forces on the USA as china is trustable but the USA is not though allying with usa has great economical benefits too.

Good point. However, US can be trustworthy partner if the relationship is based on mutual benefits.

In our case, we have lacked economic independence and have been weak on political front as well.

 

[PlanetSoldier]

Yes, you are right. No doubt, many US equipments will be forthcoming to Bangladesh. A treaty to facilitate US military will not be a dry one without weapons. BD military top brass will not allow the govt to sign such a treaty without any material gain for the country.

In lieu of its good overtures towards USA, India remains basically in the Russian block. With a military facility in BD, USA implies a China triangulation only to appease India. US-BD military alliance may well mean a triangulation of India. Other points of triangulation are Pakistan, Diego Garcia and SL. India has now been completely caged within itself.

BD really needs a very strong navy for the protection of not only the BoB, but also its mainland. One weak point is the narrow strip of land between Tripura and the sea. At a time of hostility India may threat us with a double punch, a naval attack from sea and a land attack from Tripura that will separate the entire CTG zone from the mainland.

Perhaps USA understands this and has already installed radar stations somewhere at Kuakata and Cox's Bazaar to observe Indian naval movement. But, BN needs a strong navy as a deterrent.

The narrow strip is not similar to chicken neck/shilliguri corridor that cutting it large Chittagong zone will be separate. If you look from one point of Feni area, it seems really vulnerable but if you look through three points of BD as a triangular shape, Tripura is in BD's belly then, just have a look on the map. Definitely BD strategy has to be from 3 points. Besides one big point is to the south of that narrow strip is vast sea area completely occupied by BD. Cutting chicken neck india doesn't have a single free point to enter that area, but cutting Feni point, BD troops have the chance to enter Tripura from other 2 points let alone the sea area which can protect the cutting of Feni point by only sea borne warriors.

 

[eastwatch]

Sir why is Bangladesh allowing anti China American navy into its sea port?

Bangladesh has no common border with China, but, has with India. So, probably USA wants to keep an eye on India, a Russian ally. On the other hand, USA can also persuade Bangladesh not to allow any Chinese naval base or facility on its soil. So, USA is for killing two birds in one stone.

However, USA wants a developed asia. A warlike situation between Bd and India, and between India and China is not sought by the USA. So, its presence in the BoB will see to that. Another point is the oil/gas resources in the BoB. US companies are digging in the BD part of BoB.

US companies' participation will increase in the coming years. So, US military wants a secured BoB without a possibility of war. A warlike situation may arise if India pirates a BD gas/oil field in the BoB. So, for many reasons USA wants to strengthen its position in BD and BoB.

 

[TopCat]

China will not mind if USA keeps her 7th fleet in Bay of Bengal? Yeah i know, Its complex. Thats why i am not supporting anyone.... Our current policy is better, no need to change it...

For the time being, Yes we should not change it.

 

[eastwatch]

The narrow strip is not similar to chicken neck/shilliguri corridor that cutting it large Chittagong zone will be separate. If you look from one point of Feni area, it seems really vulnerable but if you look through three points of BD as a triangular shape, Tripura is in BD's belly then, just have a look on the map. Definitely BD strategy has to be from 3 points.

Besides one big point is to the south of that narrow strip is vast sea area completely occupied by BD. Cutting chicken neck india doesn't have a single free point to enter that area, but cutting Feni point, BD troops have the chance to enter Tripura from other 2 points let alone the sea area which can protect the cutting of Feni point by only sea borne warriors.

Chicken neck and Feni should be seen separately. I understand Tripura is almost encircled by BD land. But, a numerically superior Indian army may not move the way we want. It will open many fronts along the border, but not in the Tripura border and not a naval front near the land strip in the beginning of a war.

Now, an unsuspecting BA moves its troops to fight in other fronts. Then suddenly India's small coastal/navy ships loaded with a division of troops dash through the undefendable southern river/sea routes and reaches the shore in a few hours in the dark hours. IA troops move also almost at the same time from Tripura. The Feni strip may be lost in that case.

There can be many scenerios like this in a war. No one really knows what an invading army will do. I am talking only about one of them. So, what I am saying is unless our coast guard and navy are strong enough and ready to repulse a sea attack, there is a posibility that two groups of Indian troops will make a two front attack to separate CTG from the mainland.

This is why I am in favour of US support in our defence needs if not an outright base facility.

 

[oFFbEAT]

LOL, two countries which call India as American stooge day and night......are themselves having/will have American military presence in their own soil while India doesn't.....

IMHO, this should be a good development from India's perspective.....

The main reason why RAW operates in neighboring countries is to ensure India's safety from the anti-India activities orchestrated from these countries.......
And these anti-India activities are orchestrated by religious extremists who are also anti-America.....
Therefore, American presence in BD will greatly reduce India's headache.....America will take care of its own interest, which will benefit India as well.....

Having said that and keeping in mind America's track record, India should be very cautious and always keep an eye on such developments in neighboring countries in order NOT to jeopardize India's sovereignty.....

 

[BanglaBhoot]

For the time being, Yes we should not change it.

And how long does everyone think we can sit on the fence on this? The time is now as either India will suffocate BD or we accept the US hand and also keep China close. Sitting on the fence is not a foriegn policy strategy that works and it is already too late for this ....... The world will not wait for Bangladesh .......