Since 2009, observers say although
the
Hasina
government
in
Bangladesh has attempted to
maintain the balance its relations with
India and China, critics say it has
skewed overwhelmingly its relations
in favour of India and many Chinese
initiatives or proposals were
reportedly put in the back burner,
one such instance is reportedly the
construction of the deep sea port in
Sonadia near Cox's Bazar with
proposed Chinese assistance.
Enhanced and balanced relationship
with India and China gives
Bangladesh many advantages. It can
be argued that greater engagement
with
China
would
augment
Bangladesh‘s negotiating strength
with India.
Stable economic and strategic
partnership with both India and
Some analysts say Bangladesh is
swinging on a tightrope in which
India held one end and China held
another. Not willing to place all its
eggs in either basket given its past
history with both nations, and in an
effort integrate into the global
economy, Bangladesh is pursuing a
foreign policy of what some analysts
label ―more friends, fewer enemies.‖
Dhaka‘s policy towards India and
China needs to be well-calibrated
and balanced. In this connection, let
me conclude with Lord Palmerston‘s
dictum when he has said that there
are no eternal friends or permanent
enemies. What is eternal is national
interest and those are to be pursued
vigorously. National interest is not
static but is variable and it may
change with the change of domestic
and external environment.
* The author is former Bangladesh
Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.
4
Over the past few years, China has
replaced India as Bangladesh's
biggest import destination with
bilateral trade between the two
nations as of 2010-11 standing at
US$7 billion, though heavily skewed
in favour of Beijing. Bangladesh‘s
exports to China stood at $406
million as of 2010-2011.
China are desirable for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has also placed an
emphasis on global integration which
has resulted in political and
economic engagement with a wider
range of countries, the purpose
which is to make the country hub of
economic activities. 60% Bangladesh
trade is currently connected with
global trade.
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