Playing It Big Or A Proxy?: Bangladesh’s Growing Closeness To China – Analysis

[oprih]

Between China and india, China is the obvious choice. No one in their right mind would want to be associated with a problematic and useless country that is poorer than sub -saharan africa.

 

[Razia Sultana]

True.
Issue India had with bangladesh was due to hosting NE militants with ISI running the show. Other than that India will certainly keep an eye on what bangladesh does militarily thats a norm with neighbors.

Only insecure & immature ppl who cant appreciate others success and cant distinguish between established norms in state security end up using words like dadagiri,hegemony..etc As long as bangladesh does no harm India and its citizens we dont care to give a hoot.

I think BD has been really a wonderful country in last 5-10 years. It has focused on its economy and trade, resolved long pending international issues, cooperated with India on fight against terror, given herself a good administration and improved her image globally. We dont hear about violence except the selective killings of bloggers and minories by the ISIS and BD is much peaceful now. Like many other nations BD too faces Islamic Radicals but its resolve to fight them is indeed appreciable.

However, maintaining an army strength of 400,000 soldiers plus an active army reserve of 23,00,000 soldiers, acquiring submarines for Navy when there is no dispute or threat from the sea are something beyond a layman's understanding. I can understand if Pakistan has 6,00,000 soldiers plus a reserve of 5,00,000 soldiers but BD.... it fails me.

 

[gslv mk3]

LOL. As if India is heaven. The writer has clearly shown his/her bias.
India is also 'impoverished' but it still spends a huge sum on weapons.

Did anyone say India is heaven ? For your information, India spends only some 6% of Budget expenditure, Bangladesh spends some 6.5%. Try doing the math for Pakistan.

And last time I checked, India has a higher GDP per capita & Tax to GDP ratio, both of which means it has proportionally larger budget & more money to spare for Defense expenditure.

 

[Michael Corleone]

wait!
We as a country want to remain safe and China's presence beyond Himalayas is perilous.
Why do you think America sent its soldiers all the way to Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam?
When somebody feels threatened, they have the right to defend themselves. In this case, it works in India's favour to coerce BD.
Call it being manipulative or whatever but this is how the world works.
BD on its part isnt an angel either, China is your bargaining chip. Its not just BD which uses this tactic, but all our neighboring countries like Srilanka push us to give into their demands.

You guys wanna protect yourself. DO IT WITHIN YOUR OWN COUNTRIES BORDER. DONT BE LIKE WORLD POLICE AMERICA. IT WILL CERTAINLY NEVER WORK.

There is no issue BD growing relations with China for her own interests. India too does a lot of business with Chinese. The concern here is not why BD is buying so much weapons from China but what is the purpose of her defence acquisitions. A nation builds an army to defend her territories and interests. The author has explained in the article that BD has no major disputes with India (nor she can match the fire power of India) nor the issue of Rohingya big enough for a war against Myanmar. BD has no border issues with her neighbours nor she has any issues on nautical boundaries so what is the need for her growing army? What are the threat perceptions of BD? As many Bangladeshi PDF members agree that BD is ready to be a pawn for the highest bidder then it is fair enough for India to anticipate larger designs by some other nation using BD as proxy. As long as BD has a sane leadership its ok but BD is also prone to military coups and ISIS is showing its presence there.
Its strange that nations that talk about sovereignty and rejecting Indian hegemony in South Asia are more than eager to play a pawn in the hands of China.

You're talking rationally so props for that. Bangladesh's defense acquisition is more about deterrence than offensive doctrine. And every mature person should understand that.

 

[Imran Khan]

no hope of free BD until current regime rule BD

 

[Tripoli]

Ofcourse!



We are not just dictating terms...
we have been working on uniting south Asia!!!
India's satellite 'gift' for SAARC to be up in Dec 2016

I don't think you got the point of my post. My point is that India should not be interfering in its neighboring country's policies.
Acting like the US of South Asia will get India no where. To be blunt, no one gives a flying f*** what India is doing to
unite south asia ,if it means to give up one's sovereignty.

You cannot be the policeman of south asia because no one trusts you.
For example you intervened in Sri Lanka by supporting the LTTE and you only stopped when your own PM became one of the many casualties. This alone showed your dishonesty to the cause for a united south asia.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

There is no issue BD growing relations with China for her own interests. India too does a lot of business with Chinese. The concern here is not why BD is buying so much weapons from China but what is the purpose of her defence acquisitions. A nation builds an army to defend her territories and interests. The author has explained in the article that BD has no major disputes with India (nor she can match the fire power of India) nor the issue of Rohingya big enough for a war against Myanmar. BD has no border issues with her neighbours nor she has any issues on nautical boundaries so what is the need for her growing army? What are the threat perceptions of BD? As many Bangladeshi PDF members agree that BD is ready to be a pawn for the highest bidder then it is fair enough for India to anticipate larger designs by some other nation using BD as proxy. As long as BD has a sane leadership its ok but BD is also prone to military coups and ISIS is showing its presence there.
Its strange that nations that talk about sovereignty and rejecting Indian hegemony in South Asia are more than eager to play a pawn in the hands of China.

Any country's defence strategy should not formulate based only on current scenario and act on that.We are living in an increasingly militarized region of the world where show of force still decide many things.You perhaps know about 2008 Bangladesh-Myanmar naval standoff regarding contested zone in Bay of Bengal.They started gas field drilling in contested area with complete disregard of BD's repeated protest.They thought they can intimidate BD into submission, but when BD deployed navy to challenge their action,they back offed.That was a wake up call for our defence establishment.This type of incidence may occure in future anytime.

Our military strength is still very inadequate considering our size.We need to increase our defence spending in a factor of 3 to meet our security demand as well as a military backing of a big power just like Japan,South Korea or Taiwan has the backing of American.China can play this part for Bangladesh.

Did anyone say India is heaven ? For your information, India spends only some 6% of Budget expenditure, Bangladesh spends some 6.5%. Try doing the math for Pakistan.

Seem like you are a math challenged guy.Indian budget in 2016-2017 is 19.78 lakh crore Rs. out of which 2.58 lakh crore was allocated for defence or 13.05 percent of total budget.Double the percentage wise of BD.Calculator is a big help for your kind.So feel free to use it.

 

[Bilal9]

There is no issue BD growing relations with China for her own interests. India too does a lot of business with Chinese. The concern here is not why BD is buying so much weapons from China but what is the purpose of her defence acquisitions.

I could turn that around and ask why Indians are building naval bases so close to Bangladesh bases/ports.Your navy is building bases on Sagar Island near Kolkata for land-to-ship as well as surface-to-air missiles. What for?

Why did India need to buy 270 Sukhoi su-31 fighters when more than half of its populace don't have places to relieve themselves? Why are these fighters (at least a squadron in each) stationed around all airbases (especially Kalaikunda, Tejpur and Chebua Airbases) bordering Bangladesh? Its called a deterrent. Do friendly countries need to do this? Indian actions speak louder than words.

BD has no border issues with her neighbours nor she has any issues on nautical boundaries so what is the need for her growing army? What are the threat perceptions of BD? As many Bangladeshi PDF members agree that BD is ready to be a pawn for the highest bidder then it is fair enough for India to anticipate larger designs by some other nation using BD as proxy.

Oh you are a little short on memory and googling. India has been fighting a proxy war with Bangladesh since the mid 70's since Mujib was deposed. India has continuously armed the shanti bahini in the CTG Hill tracts and almost all other troublemakers in our territory. Our policymakers and strategists aren't exactly stupid. Anticipate what you want. We will do the same.

It has focused on its economy and trade, resolved long pending international issues, cooperated with India on fight against terror, given herself a good administration and improved her image globally.

Focusing on economy and trade has happened because people are sick of being poor. Exposure to the outside world caused economic activity just like in India. Th administration of SHW has simply gone along for the ride and taken credit. Like all politicians - our politicians are equally dirty. She plays nicety-nice with India because of her personal debt to Indian politicians (Indian bigwigs gave her safe haven in India when her family was decimated) and because of the 'support' she receives from them.

maintaining an army strength of 400,000 soldiers plus an active army reserve of 23,00,000 soldiers, acquiring submarines for Navy when there is no dispute or threat from the sea are something beyond a layman's understanding.

The army should be at a level of 800,000 ideally (active TRAINED conscripts and regulars). An outsider has no right to judge the troop strength of a sovereign independent nation. It's simply our call based on our threat perception and defensive needs. For that matter - I have no right to judge India's troop strength either. Where does this Amitav Dada get off calling judgment on how big our troop level needs to be? Tell this insignificant insect to bugger off....

Keeping our sea lanes open (with subs if need be) is also our call. Indians have no say so on it at all.

Why don't you try that with the Pakistanis and see what you get shown?

 

[Razia Sultana]

Any country's defence strategy should not formulate based only current scenario and act on that.We are living in an increasingly militarized region of the world where show of force still decide many things.You perhaps know about 2008 Bangladesh-Myanmar naval standoff regarding contested zone in Bay of Bengal.They started gas field drilling in contested area with complete disregard of BD's repeated protest.They thought they can intimidate BD into submission, but when BD deployed navy to challenge their action,they back offed.That was a wake up call for our defence establishment.This type of incidence may occure in future anytime.

Our military strength is still very inadequate considering our size.We need to increase our defence spending in a factor of 3 to meet our security demand as well as a military backing of a big power just like Japan,South Korea or Taiwan has the backing of American.China can play this part for Bangladesh.

The naval standoff was eventually handled very maturely and either country's military superiority or inferiority did not come in the way of an amicable settlement. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are rich developed nations, a developing nation is more likely to end up as Cuba.

 

[sbmc27]

India simply being insecure by the strategic position of BD into her belly... Obviously there should be no other reason.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

The naval standoff was eventually handled very maturely and either country's military superiority or inferiority did not come in the way of an amicable settlement. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are rich developed nations, a developing nation is more likely to end up as Cuba.

Korea,Taiwan wasn't developed when they got American security guarantee.Current wealth distribution across the globe is not permanent.

India isn't USA and Bangladesh isn't Cuba.Proportion is not the same in anyways.Consider economy,American economy is 220 times larger than Cuba,while Indian economy is 10 times larger than BD.

 

[Razia Sultana]

I could turn that around and ask why Indians are building naval bases so close to Bangladesh bases/ports.Your navy is building bases on Sagar Island near Kolkata for land-to-ship as well as surface-to-air missiles. What for?

Why did India need to buy 270 Sukhoi su-31 fighters when more than half of its populace don't have places to relieve themselves? Why are these fighters (at least a squadron in each) stationed around all airbases (especially Kalaikunda, Tejpur and Chebua Airbases) bordering Bangladesh? Its called a deterrent. Do friendly countries need to do this? Indian actions speak louder than words.

India has long standing major territorial disputes with China and Pakistan and fought wars with them. Both these nations are strong strategic allies and so India's defence preparedness must match the combined strength of these two nations. Why India is building naval base in Sagar island is mainly because BD has allowed China on her shores. None of the Indian military units is based against BD as India has 0 threat perception from BD.

I could turn that around and ask why Indians are building naval bases so close to Bangladesh bases/ports.Your navy is building bases on Sagar Island near Kolkata for land-to-ship as well as surface-to-air missiles. What for?

Why did India need to buy 270 Sukhoi su-31 fighters when more than half of its populace don't have places to relieve themselves? Why are these fighters (at least a squadron in each) stationed around all airbases (especially Kalaikunda, Tejpur and Chebua Airbases) bordering Bangladesh? Its called a deterrent. Do friendly countries need to do this? Indian actions speak louder than words.

India has long standing major territorial disputes with China and Pakistan and fought wars with them. Both these nations are strong strategic allies and so India's defence preparedness must match the combined strength of these two nations. Why India is building naval base in Sagar island is mainly because BD has allowed China on her shores. None of the Indian military units is based against BD as India has 0 threat perception from BD.

I could turn that around and ask why Indians are building naval bases so close to Bangladesh bases/ports.Your navy is building bases on Sagar Island near Kolkata for land-to-ship as well as surface-to-air missiles. What for?

Why did India need to buy 270 Sukhoi su-31 fighters when more than half of its populace don't have places to relieve themselves? Why are these fighters (at least a squadron in each) stationed around all airbases (especially Kalaikunda, Tejpur and Chebua Airbases) bordering Bangladesh? Its called a deterrent. Do friendly countries need to do this? Indian actions speak louder than words.



Oh you are a little short on memory and googling. India has been fighting a proxy war with Bangladesh since the mid 70's since Mujib was deposed. India has continuously armed the shanti bahini in the CTG Hill tracts and almost all other troublemakers in our territory. Our policymakers and strategists aren't exactly stupid. Anticipate what you want. We will do the same.



Focusing on economy and trade has happened because people are sick of being poor. Exposure to the outside world caused economic activity just like in India. Th administration of SHW has simply gone along for the ride and taken credit. Like all politicians - our politicians are equally dirty. She plays nicety-nice with India because of her personal debt to Indian politicians (Indian bigwigs gave her safe haven in India when her family was decimated) and because of the 'support' she receives from them.



The army should be at a level of 800,000 ideally (active TRAINED conscripts and regulars). An outsider has no right to judge the troop strength of a sovereign independent nation. It's simply our call based on our threat perception and defensive needs. For that matter - I have no right to judge India's troop strength either. Where does this Amitav Dada get off calling judgment on how big our troop level needs to be? Tell this insignificant insect to bugger off....

Keeping our sea lanes open (with subs if need be) is also our call. Indians have no say so on it at all.

Why don't you try that with the Pakistanis and see what you get shown?

 

[Bilal9]

India is building naval base in Sagar island is mainly because BD has allowed China on her shores.

The Chinese have simply signed an MOU to build an SEZ and are building bridges. If Chinese businesses don't relocate to Bangladesh then what will our people eat?

Indian threat perception is way higher than what reality exists locally. Your 'perceivers' seem to not perceive too well...

 

[Razia Sultana]

Oh you are a little short on memory and googling. India has been fighting a proxy war with Bangladesh since the mid 70's since Mujib was deposed. India has continuously armed the shanti bahini in the CTG Hill tracts and almost all other troublemakers in our territory. Our policymakers and strategists aren't exactly stupid. Anticipate what you want. We will do the same.

We all know that all of east pakistanis did not want a Bangladesh but calling Shanti Bahini (Mukti Bahini) trouble makers certainly unmakes you a Bangladeshi but that's none of my business.

Focusing on economy and trade has happened because people are sick of being poor. Exposure to the outside world caused economic activity just like in India. Th administration of SHW has simply gone along for the ride and taken credit. Like all politicians - our politicians are equally dirty. She plays nicety-nice with India because of her personal debt to Indian politicians (Indian bigwigs gave her safe haven in India when her family was decimated) and because of the 'support' she receives from them.

Everybody is sick of poverty but not everyone is able to remove poverty. A captain gets all the bricks or bouquets for the loss or win in the game, so SHW deserves the credit. When a person acquires an authority s/he raises above all personal biases. No one expects anything in return from those given shelter nor getting a shelter such a thing that a person will stake his/her nation. The nation comes before one's own life. Political differences should be kept at home, for the international community it means nothing.

 

[Bilal9]

We all know that all of east pakistanis did not want a Bangladesh but calling Shanti Bahini (Mukti Bahini) trouble makers certainly unmakes you a Bangladeshi but that's none of my business.


Everybody is sick of poverty but not everyone is able to remove poverty. A captain gets all the bricks or bouquets for the loss or win in the game, so SHW deserves the credit. When a person acquires an authority s/he raises above all personal biases. No one expects anything in return from those given shelter nor getting a shelter such a thing that a person will stake his/her nation. The nation comes before one's own life. Political differences should be kept at home, for the international community it means nothing.

Shanti Bahini are from the Chittagong hill tracts (indigenous people who are separatists).

Please read:

RAW’s involvement in Chittagong Hill Tracts

Mohammad Zainal Abedin

The object of India’s assistance to PCJSS of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and its front organization as well, is limited not only to cripple Bangladesh but use them as tenanted ruffians and mercenaries to uproot the guerrillas of TNV (Tripura), NSCN (Nagaland), MNF (Mizoram), PLA, PAM (Manipur) and ULFA (Assam) who are engaged in an obstinate and steady jungle war to free their regions from Indian exploitative claws. Because of the Chakmas’ similarity to of appearance and stature to the tribal of North-eastern India, her intelligence agencies infiltrated many Shanti Bahini (SB) insurgents into the militant outfits of Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Assam. India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) even uses the common Chakmas as its agents to procure the plans and other information of these militant outfits. A pro-Chakma book published from Calcutta accurately acknowledges:

“ During the regime of Indira Gandhi when a portion of the Naga and the Mizo communities revolted, the Indian government decided to use the tribals of CHT, Indian government accurately convicted that only the tribals of CHT could help the Indian government in procuring the information about the Nagas and the Mizos more effectively. The Union government of India decided that tribal refugees of Bangladesh (at that time it was East Pakistan) would be rehabilitated in the desolate region of NEFA (i.e. in the North-Eastern Frontier Agency with China, which is now known as Arunachal Pradesh). The rehabilitation of the refugees in the desolate region as a strategy to face the Chinese power of post-62 era perhaps was a well thought decision. Their rehabilitation in the depopulated region would not only increase the population of that area but also play a positive role in the field of defence and security arrangements. The Union government accurately concluded that these tribals would always remain faithful to and dependent on Indian government and a portion of them might have been used in defence force if the situation would demand so (78 ).

The RAW operatives closely assisted the Chakma guerrillas. The Chakmas after the change of the government in 1975 contacted the RAW. They offered to infiltrate among the Mizo rebels and pass on information to the Indian government in lieu of asylum. This offer was accepted by the then Indian government (79).

The RAW was involved in training of the rebels of Chakma tribes and Shanti Bahini to carry out subversive activities in Bangladesh (80).

In this context, let me quote renowned Indian journalist and BBC’s Eastern India correspondent Subir Bhaumik’s interview with ‘Probe News Magazine’:

“You will see in my book, from 1975 to 1990, the RAW backed Shanti Bahini……..” In 1976 after Shanti bahini went underground, their people had gone for training in India. Mind you, the rank and file were trained in India……. There was a clear indication given to Mr. Larma that India was prepared for up to 50,000 guerillas. Train them, arm them, equip them…..”(81).

This strategy still persists which makes it easier for Indian government to restrict the anti-India forces of Nagaland, Tripura, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya. On the other hand, RAW genuinely perceived that the chakmas are subservient to India, the militants of the North-east would not get shelter even temporarily if the SB remains active in CHT, In fact, one can conclude that SB was used the fence of the Indian border.

In 1975, the RAW was instructed to assist the Chakma rebels with arms, supplies, bases and training. Training was concluded in the border camps in Tripura but specialized training was imparted at Chakrata near Dehra Doon. Shantu Larma’s Shanti Bahini members were flown to Chakrata and then sent back to Tripura to infiltrate into CHTs. A RAW office and its operatives at Agartala monitored the progress of the trainees. In 1976, the Shanti Bahini launched its first attack on the Bangladesh forces. A new insurgency had been born and India’s secret war in the hills of Bangladesh had begun (82).

Motiur Rahman, editor, Prothom Alo who is known to be soft towards India, disclosed that Indian intelligence agencies tried to create unrest in CHT region and continues it till date (83).

Now it is open secret that CHT problem is the direct outcome of Indian manipulation. India with the active cooperation of the Congress ruffians Gopal Krisna Chakma, Sneha Kumar Chakma and others persuaded some ambitious and derailed tribals, mainly the Chakmas, to float a secessionist outfit under the leadership of former Pairliament member Manbendra Narayan Larma.

Though the article No. 9 of the now defunct Indo-Bangladesh Treaty of Cooperation and friendship signed on March 19, 1972 categorically stated that one country would neither allow the terrorists of other to use its territory nor encourage any activities subversive to internal peace and security and territorial integrity. But within a year of signing the treaty India violated the provisions of the treaty by allowing the PCJSS and SB terrorists to operate against Bangladesh from Indian soil.

Referring to Larma’s RAW connection an English weekly ‘Friday’ published from Dhaka mentioned that Manbendra Larma crossing the border met Indian intelligence officials in 1976. The same weekly informed that Larma’s initiation to patch up with Late President Ziaur Rahman was deterred under Indian pressure. The weekly says: “The attempt of M.N. Larma to negotiate a settlement with Zia was failed as the armed wing of the Jana Sanghati Samiti was compelled to initiate armed operation under Indian pressure in mid 1976” (84).

Chittagong Hill Tracts: A Victim of Indian Intervention, Mohammad Zainal Abedin,Eastern Publications, London, 2003, pages.97-100.

——————————————————————–

78. Debjani Dutta & Annusuya Bosu Roy Chowdhury, The Politics and the Struggle of Chittagong Hill Tracts border, Calcutta Research Group, Calcutta, India, Page.63
79. Inside RAW:The Story of India’s Secret Service, Asoka Raina, Vikas Publishers, New Delhi, India, 1981, page. 86-87
80. RAW’s Role in Furthering India’s Foreign Policy, Ashok Biswas, The New Nation, Dhaka, August 31, 1994
81. PROBE, Vol.1, Issue 4, Dhaka, September 1-15, 2001.
82. Binalaksmi Nepram, South Asia’s Fractured Frontier, Mittal Publishers, New Delhi, 2002, page-153.
83. Motiur Rahaman, Prothom Alo, Dhaka, December 10, 2002.
84. Weekly Friday, Dhaka, June3, 1988.