It is rather strange, albeit not inexplicable, that it’s not Bangladesh but India that is highly eager to a sign a long-term defense pact with Bangladesh. But the million dollar question is, a defense pact against whom?
We have two neighbours -- India and Myanmar -- and only time will tell if we have to expect threats from them. But signing a defense pact with a neighbour like India smells fishy, for, over the years, India's modus operandi in bi-lateral matters has been highly self-centered and can hardly be termed as friendly.
We have not forgotten as to how India's responsible quarter reacted negatively when Bangladesh bought only two diesel-operated submarines from China.
How can we forget the relentless killing of Bangladeshi citizens by the BSF of India, despite repeated protests by Bangladesh?
Today’s India is not the India of Indira Gandhi which helped us in our Liberation War
Now, it is crystal clear that India, being one of the largest arms buyers in the world, does not want a militarily strong Bangladesh and prefers Bangladesh to buy only patrol boats and some outmoded conventional weapons from India, instead of getting submarines and other modern weaponry from developed countries.
We need the latest versions of different weapons not only for our own defense purposes but also for training our armed forces so that they can effectively take part in UN peace missions around the world.
The Indian proposal appears, clearly, to be a political ploy to keep Bangladesh as a so-called banana republic. I strongly believe that our far-sighted and wise prime minister would not be a party to the Indian design.
Here may we not forget that today’s India is not the India of Indira Gandhi which helped us in our liberation war.
Much water has flowed down the river Padma since then. It’s now a different India which is more interested in spreading its sphere of influence and reap benefits at the cost of Bangladesh -- and keep many of the issues between the two countries unresolved, including the Teesta issue and many more.
I would suggest that our defense options should not be determined by India but by ourselves -- and those should be open and transparent to serve the best interest of Bangladesh.
We may be a small nation but we are brave enough to defend our motherland without the so-called defense pact with India.
Hafeejul Alam is a freelance consultant and a former civil servant.