Foreign-Affairs
Biden sees stronger Dhaka-Washington ties in future
US President Joe Biden has expressed his optimism that Dhaka-Washington partnership would flourish in the next 50 years and beyond.
In a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said Bangladeshis and Americans alike share the ideals of democracy, equality, and respect for human rights; and these elements are the foundation for healthy, secure, and prosperous societies.
Read:Ties between Bangladeshis, Americans deeper, more intertwined: Secretary Blinken
“I am confident our partnership will continue to flourish for the next 50 years and beyond,” he said in the letter marking 50-year milestone in the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and the US.
The US president said the drive, resourcefulness, and innovation of Bangladeshis - rebuilding after the 1971 War of Liberation and now forging a path of economic growth and development – serve as a model for rest of the world.
“We are proud of our partnership on development, economic growth and counterterrorism,” Biden said, adding that the two countries work together to address the climate crisis, help the Rohingya survivors of genocide and support UN peace keeping worldwide.
He mentioned the two nations are connected through familial, academic and commercial ties since 1958, when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman participated in a 30-day exchange programme in the US.
Read:Bangladesh-US security dialogue in Washington Wednesday
“Our defense cooperation is stronger than ever,” the US president said, adding that the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Navy are invaluable partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, contributing to the regional effort to end the trafficking of people and illicit drugs.
Biden said the US and Bangladesh together met the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic while Washington has donated more than 61 million vaccine doses and provided over 131 million US dollars in assistance to Dhaka.
Ties between Bangladeshis, Americans deeper, more intertwined: Secretary Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the ties between Bangladeshis and Americans grow deeper and more intertwined with every generation as the two countries celebrate five decades of friendship.
“I look forward to seeing what our people will build together in the decades ahead as we continue to follow that star of freedom,” he said in a video message celebrating five decades of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.
Secretary Blinken thanked Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, who is now in Washington to have a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart; and Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam “for being the latest stewards of this crucial” relationship.
For generations, Secretary Blinken said, Bangladeshis have made tremendous contributions to the United States.
He cited the example of the iconic Sears Tower to refer to what the Bangladeshis and Americans can achieve together.
In 1952, Fazlur Rahman Khan was the first Bangladeshi to receive the Fulbright Scholarship to study in the US, completed his PhD and two master's degrees in structural engineering and mechanics, the US Secretary of State mentioned.
Later, he joined an architecture firm in Chicago where he designed an office building for Sears Corporation.
“In 1973, just a year after our countries established diplomatic relations, the iconic Sears Tower was finished in downtown Chicago. Since then, the tower has defined a classic American skyline and it represents just one manifestation of what Americans and Bangladeshis can build together," Blinken said.
Read: Bangladesh, US relations to reach new heights: Blinken to Momen
50 years later, he said the two countries collaborate virtually on every issue that matters to their people.
Secretary Blinken said the two countries have forged partnership to improve public health, strengthening local health systems, bringing down maternal mortality in Bangladesh by two thirds over the last two decades and fighting Covid-19 with 61 million doses of safe, effective vaccines provided by the United States to Bangladeshis.
In 2021, Secretary Blinken said, the US bought more Bangladeshi products than any other country did, representing some US$ 8.3 billion. “We encourage Bangladesh to make progress on workers’ rights to deepen our robust economic partnership.”
He mentioned about joint efforts in tackling clime crisis, Bangladesh’s contributions to peacekeeping and Rohingya crisis noting that the Rohingyas have fled genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the military in Myanmar.
“We commend Bangladesh for hosting nearly 1 million refugees and for continuing to offer support for those efforts as we have since the crisis started,” Secretary Blinken said.
Read: Biden sees stronger Dhaka-Washington ties in future
He also said, "We are tackling the climate crisis together, strengthening the resilience of the communities that are already affected by the rising sea level and more severe storms, investing in clean energy and protecting wetlands and forests in Bangladesh for future generations.”
Blinken said the US and Bangladesh address humanitarian conflicts and crises together, from responding to natural disasters to supporting Bangladesh's role as one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations.
He recalled that in February 1972, Senator Ted Kennedy visited Bangladesh and spoke to the students at University of Dhaka and the values that tied the peoples of the two countries – the similar struggles for independence, love for liberty and journeys to follow the star of freedom.
The United States recognized Bangladesh on April 4, 1972, in a press statement from Secretary of State William Rogers.
In addition, Herbert Spivack, the principal U.S. officer in Dhaka, delivered a message from President Richard Nixon to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman informing him that the United States government wished to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
Bangladesh-US security dialogue in Washington Wednesday
Bangladesh will have a security dialogue with the US in Washington Wednesday to discuss issues of mutual interests in a broader security sphere.
At the 8th Security Dialogue, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will lead the Bangladesh delegation while Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Denise Jenkins will lead the US delegation.
This is the first time that a foreign secretary-level security dialogue is taking place between the two countries instead of the DG level.
Foreign Secretary Masud left Dhaka for the US Sunday to attend the dialogue.
He will also accompany Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen during his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Monday.
During US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland's recent Bangladesh visit, the US shared a draft on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which is seen as a "gateway" to do more on the security front.
"We're very confident that we’ll be able to get the issue settled so that we can do more on the security side together," she told reporters during a joint media briefing in Dhaka.
The US is pushing to conclude certain foundational defence agreements – GSOMIA and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which are "essential" to enabling a closer defence relationship, expanding opportunities for defence trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between two countries.
Bangladesh says it is still examining the proposals.
For 50 years, the US and Bangladesh have enjoyed cordial diplomatic ties and partnered on a wide range of security issues, including border security, maritime security, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, defence trade, and defence institution building, according to the US Department of State.
The US engages Bangladesh through several bilateral and multilateral fora and the two governments continue to work together to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific.
Since 2015, the US has provided $66.9 million in foreign military financing (FMF) and $7.29 million in international military education and training (IMET) assistance to Bangladesh.
FMF assistance includes $10 million in bilateral programming and $56.9 million in Bay of Bengal Initiative Regional FMF.
The US Department of State's Bay of Bengal Initiative, through support provided via FMF, seeks to enhance the capacity of civilian and military actors to detect illicit activity within their borders and in the region.
Also, it aims to build networks and habits of cooperation to enable countries to share information, develop their capacity to respond promptly to illicit activity, and support our partners in enabling a rules-based order in the Indian Ocean.
FM reaches Washington; meeting with Blinken Monday
Bangladesh and the United States want to “enhance and deepen” their ties as the two countries will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on Monday.Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen reached Washington on Sunday, a day before holding a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart Antony Blinken at the US State Department.Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam will also join the meeting that will begin at 1pm (Washington DC).
Also read: Dhaka to seek Washington’s wider, diversified cooperationDuring his official visit to the US at the invitation of Secretary Blinken, Momen will meet USAID Administrator Samantha Power.Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Sunday visited the Liberation War Museum to pay tribute to the memory of the martyrs of 1971 and re-affirmed Dhaka-Washington friendship.The United States recognized Bangladesh on April 4, 1972, in a press statement from the then Secretary of State William Rogers.In addition, Herbert Spivack, the then principal U.S. officer in Dhaka, delivered a message from President Richard Nixon to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman informing him that the US government wished to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, according to Office of the Historian.
Also read: Dhaka invites more investments from SeoulThe United States and Bangladesh cooperate closely on a range of issues, including economics, security, governance and development.
110th anniversary of Kim Il Sung celebrated in Bangladesh
The 110th anniversary of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung was celebrated in Bangladesh on Saturday.
“National Preparatory Committee for Celebrating the Birth Anniversary of the Great President Kim IL Sung” organised a discussion meeting at the Jatiya Press Club on this occasion.
With convenor of the committee Harun-Ar-Rashid in the chair, the function was addressed by president of Workers’ Party of Bangladesh Rashed Khan Menon and North Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Pak Song Yop, advocate Gharib-e-Newaz Khan, secretary of the Bhasani Anusary Parishad Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, Kamrul Huda and Zobaida Pervin.
Journalist Jamal Uddin Jamal conducted the function.
Speaking at the function, Rashed Khan Menon said that Korean leader Kim IL Sung was one of the great leaders who successfully united the people of his country to fight against imperialism.
Read: Dhaka to seek Washington’s wider, diversified cooperation
He said Kim maneuvered the idea of communism keeping in mind the demands of his society which brought success while communists leaders in Bangladesh failed to do so.
Korean Ambassador Pak Song Yop thanked Bangladeshis for celebrating Kim Il Sung’s birth anniversary.
He also appreciated the Bangladesh government for successfully containing the Coronavirus which many countries in the world could not do.
He expressed his hope for continuous strengthening of the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and North Korea.
Dhaka to seek Washington’s wider, diversified cooperation
Bangladesh will seek wider and diversified cooperation from the United States and demand again the withdrawal of sanctions imposed on its elite force Rab as the minister-level bilateral meeting is set to take place in Washington on April 4.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen left Dhaka for the USA on Saturday night to hold a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart Antony J. Blinken at the US Department of State on the very day of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“We’ll raise it (reconsidering sanctions),” said Dr Momen ahead of his visit, reiterating that they (Rab members) are very efficient and effective; and by and large they are free from corruption and there should be a positive response from the US side.
Terming Bangladesh a peaceful and peace-loving country, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh is less interested in defence procurement from the US but wants to engage in those areas which ensure people’s welfare.
During US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland’s recent visit, the US side shared a “draft” on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which is seen as a "gateway" to do more on the security front.
"We’re very confident that we’ll be able to get the issue settled so that we can do more on the security side together," she told reporters during a joint media briefing in Dhaka.
Nuland indicated the two countries would be involved in series of engagements this year and described the partnership dialogue as the appetizer on a very big feast that they are going to have this year.
Read: We should believe in permanent interests, says Muniruzzaman
The United States is pushing to conclude certain foundational defense agreements - GSOMIA and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which are "essential" to enabling a closer defense relationship, expanding opportunities for defense trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between our two countries.
“We’ve neither dropped (those proposals) nor accepted. We’re still examining,” Moemn said, adding that Bangladesh is a very peaceful and peace-loving country with very friendly relations with all neighbors and does not want to create any armory as Bangladesh, what he says, does not need it.
The Foreign Minister reiterated that Bangabandhu’s daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina never surrenders to any pressure and she does things which ensure people’s welfare.
Read: Maritime awareness system: EU awaits Bangladesh's reply on CRIMARIO
Momen said they understand it (arms sales) is a big business for the USA but suggested that the two countries can explore other areas except this.
He said there are many new areas of cooperation – technology transfer, pharmaceuticals, blue economy, food security and climate change – where the US side can come forward. “We’re willing to diversify our trade and investment.”
Bangladesh will invite US investments in special economic zones and hi-tech parks in the country.
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh will also raise the issue of sheltering Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and will demand of his handing him over to Bangladesh.
Among other issues, the Foreign Minister said Rohingya issue will also come up.
Issues related to the Indo-Pacific Strategy are also likely to be discussed during Foreign Minister Momen’s visit.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said the Indo-Pacific Strategy is a positive, shared vision for creating a region where all nations - Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the United States, and each and every other county in the region - can thrive.
He said economic relations between the two countries are expanding quickly including through an upcoming visit from a high-level delegation made up of US businesses coming here to investigate opportunities in Bangladesh.
Ambassador Haas said the United States is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh.
Read: Dhaka invites more investments from Seoul
“As Ambassador, I commit to work with Bangladesh to build an attractive investment environment and support U.S. investors to enter new sectors for the benefit of all our people,” he said.
At President Biden’s direction, Ambassador Haas said, they are developing a comprehensive Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which will include shared objectives in key areas: climate and clean energy, fair trade facilitation, resilient supply chains, and the digital economy.
“I look forward to working on these issues with the people and the government of Bangladesh in the coming months,” he said.
We should believe in permanent interests, says Muniruzzaman
The emergence of COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis will shape the international order in a profound way, Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) President Maj Gen (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman has said.
“We should believe in permanent interests, not permanent friends,” he said, noting that countries like Bangladesh, which are integrated within the International system, must minutely analyse the ongoing global trends and solidify its own position to identify the challenges it is going to face, and aptly utilize the opportunities that lie ahead.
While delivering his remarks at recently held BIPSS-Dhaka Tribune Roundtable titled, ‘The Emerging World Order: How will Bangladesh Navigate?,' Muniruzzaman also identified how the current state of global multipolarity was soon faced with two very major turning points - the emergence of COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis.
He said the international system is already in a flux and the two events have further injected an incredible amount of fluidity within the international system.
Highlighting the key facets and variables concerning global trends, the analyst said the post-cold war era, which initially commenced through the concept of unipolarity, did quickly turn into multipolarity with the emergence of actors like China.
Former Foreign Secretary Md. Touhid Hossain emphasized on the major dimension in terms of economic and global trends.
READ: Climate change in Bangladesh to ‘impact int’l security’: Muniruzzaman
He also highlighted the key security trends as well and eloquently dissected the regional and global political dynamics, and the underlying pragmatism and interest driven approach behind it.
The former foreign secretary highlighted the significance of trade, military and cooperation and how much sway these variables hold over the global order.
He later moved on to the case of Bangladesh, and it incessantly getting into a limbo and finding it harder to ensure the strategic neutrality that it has maintained throughout, with the inclusion of already existing challenges like the Rohingya crisis.
Touhid Hossain suggested that Bangladesh ought to thread this multipolar world order with the utmost caution, and thus should look for “newer friends”, while maintaining firm and vibrant relations with the old one.
He suggested that we also ought to bolster our technological structure and ensure a more articulated approach to ensure a more solidified position in the global world order.
Pondering upon the broader geo-political and strategic trends, Dr. ASM Ali Ashraf, Professor, at the department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, illustrated the key thematic concepts towards understanding the overarching dynamics of the global world order, spanning from a theoretical understanding, to historical transformation through various watershed events (fall of Soviet Union, 9/11) and realities of the contemporary global system.
He urged for the necessity for sensitization within the global system and highlighted the key national interest that Bangladesh ought to focus on and the much-needed alterations in order to follow through, a crucial one being the necessity to ensure the diversification of trade, modernization of capabilities of the military and the law enforcement authorities and the instillation of a stronger posturing as long as Bangladesh in concerned.
Participants included foreign diplomats, security sector personnel, scholars and journalists, among others.
Muniruzzaman ended on an intriguing note, emphasizing on the necessity of a more realistic and pragmatic approach.
He emphasized upon the necessity to develop Bangladesh’s own capability and ensure the strengthening of its institutions. “We should believe in permanent interests, not permanent friends.”
The world order, almost dictated and instigated by the wide number of factors and variables, is always evolving, leaving the realities of yesteryears in the past, and introducing newer dynamics, regimes and paradigms, says BIPSS.
There are always newer trends emerging on the horizon, following the inclusion of the slightest of alterations in the spheres of politics, economy and strategy, it said.
The roundtable was attended by diplomats, scholars, security experts and youth representatives from various disciplines.
Maritime awareness system: EU awaits Bangladesh's reply on CRIMARIO
European Union (EU) Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific Gabriele Visentin Friday said they are still waiting for a final answer from Bangladesh on their offer to use the maritime awareness system CRIMARIO.
"We're very positively engaging (with the Bangladesh authority). This is a very concrete proposal that is on the table," he said while responding to a question during an interaction with diplomatic correspondents.
EU Critical Maritime Route Wider Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO) aims to support countries in the Indo-Pacific to enhance their maritime situational awareness (MSA), the sharing and fusion of data from various sources to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the maritime domain and to promote its security and safety.
"It's software that can be used for many purposes. It could equip both navies and coastguards, and allows knowing what is exactly happening at sea," said the EU special envoy, hoping that they would soon get a final answer from Bangladesh.
Read: EU Indo-Pacific strategy is not for confrontation, says its special envoy
Visentin spoke at an interactive session organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Jatiya Press Club.
The EU special envoy highlighted seven priority areas for EU action – sustainable and inclusive prosperity, green transition, ocean governance, digital governance and partnerships, security and defence, connectivity, and human security.
Referring to one of the seven pillars of the EU's Indo-Pacific Strategy – security and defence – he said they very much want to strengthen their presence in this area.
Deputy Head of Mission of the EU to Bangladesh Jeremy Opritesco, DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary AKM Moinuddin were also present.
EU Indo-Pacific strategy is not for confrontation, says its special envoy
European Union (EU) Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific Gabriele Visentin on Friday said their strategy is all about “cooperation not confrontation.”
“So, this strategy is also about scaling up and diversifying our political and economic partnership across the Indo-Pacific. We want to uphold international law and multilateralism,” he told diplomatic correspondents during an interactive session at Jatiya Press Club.
He said EU wants to deepen their cooperation with democratic like-minded partners.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) organized the session attended by Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to Bangladesh Jeremy Opritesco, DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin.
Read:Dhaka invites more investments from Seoul
The special envoy said the EU’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific is to cooperate whenever possible but to protect whenever necessary.
He claimed that their strategy is inclusive and open to all their partners wishing to cooperate with the EU and it does include China.
Dhaka invites more investments from Seoul
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has invited more South Korean investments in the country – namely, in renewable, pharmaceuticals, ICT, light engineering, consumer electronics sectors.
He appreciated Korea's contributions to the infrastructure sector of Bangladesh and its humanitarian support for the Rohingyas temporarily sheltered here.
Choi Jong Kun, South Korean 1st vice-minister of foreign affairs, met Momen at the State guesthouse Padma Thursday.
They discussed bilateral issues and other regional and international issues of common interests.
Foreign Minister Momen called South Korea a tested and trusted friend and a proven development partner of Bangladesh.
He recalled with gratitude Korea's recognition of Bangladesh as an independent state on May 12, 1972, and the country's continued development cooperation in Bangladesh's priority sectors.
The Korean 1st vice-minister assured of continued development cooperation for the rapid socio-economic advancement of Bangladesh and enhanced investments in the country.
He highlighted the importance of Korea's robust partnership with Bangladesh and agreed to deepen engagement on the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties next year.
The Korean 1st vice-minister also assured of taking more workers and students from Bangladesh.
Momen assured to continue Bangladesh's strong support to all international measures for denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and committed to working closely with South Korea on global peace and security and climate change.
The Korean 1st vice-minister highly appreciated Bangladesh's diplomatic endeavours in resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.