In their evaluation of the outgoing year, analysts said Bangladesh excelled in strengthening bilateral ties by remaining active in various global forums, but did not succeed in using its geopolitical and geostrategic importance to its advantage in 2017.
They added that the sheltering of Rohingya refugees would remain a major issue in 2018, and Bangladesh needed to conduct an objective reevaluation of the past year to determine a realistic diplomatic approach in addressing the issue.
Prof Ali Riaz of the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University, USA, said Bangladesh had received applause in international forums for their compassionate response to Rohingya fleeing Myanmar, but the refugee crisis also revealed “how Bangladesh’s interests were largely ignored by its friends such as India, China and Russia.”
“Overall, it appears that Bangladesh has not succeeded in using its geopolitical and geostrategic importance to its advantage,” Prof Ali Riaz told UNB.
Echoing Prof Riaz, former Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Humayun Kabir said: “We had an expectation that we would get India to stand with Bangladesh in repatriating Rohingyas. We didn’t get it from our close friend. They should have taken an ethical position on humanitarian grounds at least.”
He added that the position on the Rohingya crisis taken by India and China revealed that Bangladesh had few friends.
“It remains a lesson for us. There’ll be change in strategy and on the economic front. We’ll face a tough time in terms of taking a decision. Bangladesh’s position requires to be reevaluated to achieve its goals,” the former ambassador said.
Meanwhile, speaking on the challenges which need to be faced in 2018, Prof Riaz said the government needed to ensure that they earn the trust of both voters and the international community regarding the integrity of the election process.
“There should be clear and unequivocal commitment to ensuring the country doesn’t see another 2014 election,” said the political scientist.
He added that the key elements to ensuring integrity for the upcoming election include ensuring a level-playing field for all participants, guaranteeing the removal of all barriers to an inclusive election and undertaking effective steps for the neutrality of the Election Commission.
Prof Riaz further said improving the law-and-order situation, addressing the price hike of essentials, restoring discipline in the banking sector, reining in ruling party activists, addressing rampant corruption and stopping extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances were also challenges that face Bangladesh in the diplomatic arena over the next year.
Former ambassador Humayun Kabir, also vice president of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), said the relationship between Bangladesh and India has still strengthened despite the neighbouring country’s stance on the Rohingya issue, as many decisions made since 2010 have been taken to their logical conclusions.
“There have been many initiatives to strengthen cooperation in the areas of security and energy,” he said.
The BEI vice president also said both Bangladesh and India needed to give more attention to making the relationship a balanced one, as there has been no positive outcome over the Teesta water sharing issue.
“We’ve seen India’s priorities have already been addressed,” he added.
Friday, March 21, 2025
