For years as a diplomat, I was accustomed to writing “talking points” for my bosses and then sitting in meetings or listening in on calls and hoping that they used my words as I had intended them. So, I have a little bit of practice in placing myself in the shoes of someone at a much higher pay grade than mine.
Here's the imagined conversation:
PM Modi: Joe, before we wrap up, I want to share my concern over the situation in Bangladesh. I want to emphasize the importance of the restoration of law and order and ensuring safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.
President Biden: Narendra, thanks for raising the situation in Bangladesh. My team and I have been following events there over the past month very closely, and I am sure we would agree that the world needs to pay much more attention to Bangladesh. That said, as a friend, I have to tell you that we see the situation a bit differently than you do. Of course, I also think that it is important that the interim government improve law and order and protect Bangladesh’s citizens, including the most vulnerable members of society. I have been encouraged by the improvements we have seen in this regard since Sheikh Hasina’s hasty departure on August 5 and take Chief Adviser Yunus’ commitments on this topic at face value.
As we think about Bangladesh’s future and our own countries’ interests, however, we have to start by acknowledging that there is much more going on there than simply a search for stability. Over the course of this summer, the people of Bangladesh, led by a group of very committed students, were fighting for their rights against what had become an increasingly authoritarian regime. As I watched events unfold, I couldn’t help but admire those brave young people. With the end of that regime, the people of Bangladesh have an historic opportunity to create a new country where all her citizens can enjoy freedom and prosperity.
Professor Yunus and his interim government have a huge task ahead of them in addressing the damage done by the previous regime over the past 15 years. This includes repairing institutions that had been thoroughly politicized, restoring confidence in a financial sector that was riddled with corruption, and undertaking reforms necessary to hold free and fair elections. My government is committed to working with our counterparts in Bangladesh to help them achieve these ambitious goals and I will be encouraging like minded partners and relevant multilateral institutions to join us in this endeavour. I hope we can count on your support as well.
I have a little bit of practice in placing myself in the shoes of someone at a much higher pay grade than mine
I am making this a priority for my administration not only because it is good for the country’s people, but because a new Bangladesh can be a beacon in the Indo-Pacific region and counter the threat we see from authoritarian regimes around the world. In this, I am fortunate to have support from a vibrant and active Bangladeshi-American community which wants to see the same in their homeland. Through these activists, there is a growing number of Members of Congress who have also discovered Bangladesh and who stand ready to assist.
Finally, I want to ask your help in countering the disinformation which we are seeing about events in Bangladesh. You and I both know that the United States was not behind the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. As one astute observer put it: “That boat sank itself.” It is not helpful to read conspiracy theories about US “regime change” motivated by a desire to establish a naval base on a small coral island in the Bay of Bengal. We both know that is crazy. Also, it doesn’t help anyone to pretend that the country is on the verge of becoming the next Afghanistan.
Thanks for hearing me out on this and I hope you’ll give this some more thought. I look forward to seeing both you and Professor Yunus in New York during the UNGA. I plan to spend some time with him, and I hope you will as well. We all should be doing all we can to help him succeed.
Jon Danilowicz is an Independent Foreign Policy Analyst and Retired Senior Foreign Service Officer.
