Japan and Bangladesh have recently upgraded their bilateral partnership to a strategic level after the state visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan. Both countries are keen to develop long-term cooperation, keeping connectivity-centric development in mind.
The two countries have reached a consensus on Bangladesh's greater role in the campaign for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, and this issue was highlighted in the joint statement issued after the summit between Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on April 26.
The joint statement also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries to maintain peace and stability under the Indo-Pacific Framework in regional and other areas.
The declaration for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific was agreed upon by the two sides and it was also mentioned that everyone has the right to obey international law and operate ships or aircraft.
The cooperation between the two countries for the preservation of regional and international peace and stability under the Indo-Pacific Framework was the first issue emphasized in the joint statement.
Prime Minister Kishida assured Prime Minister Hasina to consider a new budget support loan. They also decided to resume a bilateral policy dialogue in carrying out development cooperation projects.
North Korea and the Rohingya crisis were among the regional cooperation and international issues that gained importance in the statement. It stressed the importance of dialogue and continued support for the people of Ukraine for the preservation of the integrity of Ukraine and the establishment of peace.
During the summit, eight agreements and cooperation memorandums on agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgrade, ship recycling, customs matters, intellectual properties, defence cooperation, ICT and cyber security were signed between the two countries. The infrastructure improvements will increase connectivity in the region, which will help in the development of Bangladesh and the region.
Bangladesh's Indi-Pacific Outline was also announced two days before the summit to clear its stance on the matter, noting that it considers stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific to be a “crucial factor” in realizing the country's Vision 2041.
Japan's Indo-Pacific Strategy has a lot in common with Bangladesh's outlook. Bangladesh has long been persuaded to join the platform which Beijing dubs as anti-China. However, Dhaka has always reaffirmed its foreign policy dictum “Friendship towards all, malice toward none.”
Strategic relationship
According to experts, the establishment of strategic ties between the two countries is a major event in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region and has regional and international implications.
Bangladesh becomes third after India and China to have established strategic relations with Japan.
It will help achieve the national interest of Bangladesh and will help Bangladesh increase communication with Japan's friendly countries.
It will also help in maintaining a balanced position between China, India and the Western world.
Connectivity
Bangladesh joined Japan's Indo-Pacific Vision “Big-B Initiative” during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Tokyo in 2014. Since then, Japan has been helping South Chittagong redevelop South Chittagong, considering Matarbari as a regional “connectivity hub.”
Apart from developing it as an energy and logistics hub, Japan has also planned to increase road, rail and maritime connectivity in Matarbari.
For this reason, the two governments are working on the large Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative of $2 billion. The joint statement stressed that it should be done properly.
Rohingya crisis
Many countries in the world do not officially and openly use the term “Rohingya.” This time, the joint statement talks about the situation in Myanmar and the repatriation of the Rohingyas. But instead of using the word “Rohingya,” the statement mentions them as “people expelled from Myanmar.”
In two paragraphs of the statement expressing concern over Myanmar, the two countries expressed their full support for the implementation of Asean's five points. Besides, the issue of freedom and democracy of those who have been arrested in that country is mentioned.
The two prime ministers agreed that if the Rohingya problem persists, the entire region will be at risk and the solution rests with Myanmar.
Defence cooperation
Last year, Japan announced its National Security Strategy and increased its defence spending manifold. A component of this strategy is the increasing relations with like-minded countries in the region and the growing economy of Bangladesh, and responsible use in the international arena has made Japan interested in the country. The MoU aims to strengthen defence dialogue between the two countries.
In addition, cooperation on visits of officials of the two countries, education, training, organization of seminars, transfer of technology and any other matters based on the consent of both sides. In the joint statement, it was decided that defence wings will be opened in the embassies of the two countries.
Sheikh Hasina informed Japan about the initiative to modernize Bangladesh's military in line with the “Forces Goal 2030.”
Besides, the initiation of negotiations on an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology was also welcomed.
