Global Courant
In April 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh released its inaugural official document on the Indo-Pacific, which details the guiding principles and objectives that form the basis of Dhaka’s regional policy.
The publication represents an important step forward in Dhaka’s efforts to articulate its vision for the Indo-Pacific and is an indication of its willingness to work with the major powers in the region.
While the contents of the document are relatively generic, they provide insight in Bangladesh’s dilemma of choosing sides amid growing US-China competition in the Indo-Pacific.
The outlook offers little clarity on how Bangladesh plans to navigate the complex and evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Rather, the principles are very similar to Article 25 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which states that foreign policy should be guided by the principles of non-interference, peaceful coexistence, respect for international law and standards, and cooperation.
The document reaffirms Bangladesh’s constitutional commitment to advocating for a peaceful international system based on the UN Charter.
The document does not contain any reference to defense cooperation or military cooperation with any particular bloc. Instead, track-2 encourages diplomatic processes to resolve existing disputes by “enhancing mutual trust and respect, (forging) partnerships and cooperation, and (promoting) dialogue and understanding with the aim of bringing peace, prosperity, security and stability to everyone in the Indo-Pacific.”
The document emphasizes the understanding of a “Culture of peace“, a statement by the United Nations in which Bangladesh played a key role in 1997.
While key strategic and security challenges facing the region were not addressed, the outlook called for the establishment of “rules-based multilateral systems” to promote “equitable and sustainable development”.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is conducting Malabar 21 – an international exercise involving the Indian Navy, US Navy and Royal Australian Navy – to improve tactical skills and further strengthen Quad navies. Photo: AFP/EyePress News
The document refrains from using Quad’s preferred terminology of a “rule-based sequence.” This deliberate choice of words reflects Bangladesh’s desire to adopt a neutral position in the geopolitical landscape. Bangladesh favors a more inclusive and open security architecture in the region that caters to diverse interests and perspectives.
The outlook addresses non-traditional security concerns. Maritime safety has been given priority. The document emphasizes strengthening “existing maritime safety and security mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific.” It also refers to the security implications of climate change and natural disasters.
The vision took a unequivocal stance on international laws and norms. Dhaka has made its firm commitment to ‘maintain the exercise of freedom of navigation and overflight, in accordance with international law and conventions’. Bangladesh’s affirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should be understood within its national context.
Bangladesh’s dependence on shipping lanes for communication makes unrestricted access to the sea and compliance with UNCLOS standards critical to protecting the economical interests. Bangladesh’s successful resolution of maritime disputes with India and Myanmar based on UNCLOS also illustrates the usefulness of international law for a small state.
Bangladesh’s emphasis on existing international laws and standards does not mean China is being reprimanded. Rather, it reflects the country’s self-awareness of its place in the international community and the limits of its power.
While the document appears to have been created primarily for a foreign audience, it also contains sections aimed at domestic voters. An example is the reference to ‘Smart Bangladesh’, which highlights Dhaka’s ambitious agenda to promote local initiatives in the global arena.
The publication of the outlook coincides with a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s foreign policy, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visits to Japan and the United States in April 2023 thrust the country into the global spotlight. During her trip to Japan, Hasina drew a joint statement with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, reaffirming their shared commitment to “a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific”.
This Strategic cooperation is important – not only because Tokyo has historically been Bangladesh’s largest source of overseas development aid – but also because Japan is developing a new industrial corridor that aims to connect Bangladesh and northeast India with Southeast Asia. The strategic partnership is primarily driven by economic motives, with geopolitics playing a crucial role in its creation.
The ties between the US and Bangladesh have faced with various difficulties, with bilateral disagreements on multiple issues ranging from human rights to democratic processes. Bangladesh’s close economic and defense ties with China and Russia have further complicated its diplomatic relations with Western countries, especially in the aftermath of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In this context, the Japan-Bangladesh joint statement has become a crucial tool for Dhaka to signal to the United States that it is willing to endorse some of the Quad’s objectives without committing to any overt strategic alignment.
Bangladeshi border guards work on the island of Saint Martin in the Bay of Bengal. Photo: AFP
Reactions from the diplomatic community in Dhaka have been mixed. The United States has insisted Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific outlook broadly matches its own Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar praised the release of the outlook and emphasized the emphasis on compliance with international conventions. Contrary, however Chinese response has been relatively restrained.
While Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific vision is not an explicit pro-Quad tilt, it does show Dhaka’s willingness to deepen existing cooperation with the bloc. Still, the document allows for a more nuanced and pragmatic approach to foreign policy, takes regional power dynamics into account and seeks to preserve Bangladesh’s strategic autonomy.
Rubiat Saimum is a lecturer in maritime security and strategic studies at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University.
This article was originally published by East Asia Forum and has been republished under a Creative Commons license.
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