Global Courant
Due to its geostrategic significance, Bangladesh has long been under tremendous pressure from both the United States and China regarding its stance on their competition. Its neutral, balancing policy puts it in the middle of power rivalries.
For example, a former Chinese envoy has warned the country not to participate in the quadrilateral security dialogue, while the United States has expressed this desire to support Bangladesh the US Indo-Pacific strategy on several occasions. Regional politics and Sino-Indian rivalry have also brought new challenges.
In the midst of such a complex political space, Bangladesh’s neutral and balanced ‘Indo-Pacific Outlook’, released two months ago, is a fine example of self-determination. On April 24 – a day before Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Japan – the country’s foreign ministry formally announced the long awaited document.
The outlook emphasizes Bangladesh’s independence, self-determination, guiding principles and firm belief in the existing liberal international order. Against this backdrop, it is worth judging the document, which positions Bangladesh as an example to other small states on how to participate in the liberal order while remaining neutral in an era of great power competition.
Bangladesh’s ‘prospects’
The announcement of the outlook is of great importance for the country’s foreign relations. The visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to Japan was crucial for both countries eight Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the visit. In addition, Hasina visited the United States and the United Kingdom immediately afterwards.
The 15-point prospect considers security as a precondition for economic prosperity. In it, Dhaka clarifies that it does not intend to take sides in the ongoing geopolitical rivalry between China on the one hand and the United States and its allies on the other.
It should be noted that the term “Indo-Pacific” itself is of Western origin, and so is China criticized its use as part of a strategy contain China. However, as Bangladesh has traditionally pursued a balanced foreign policy, it seems unconcerned about China’s response to such a concept – and China has so far failed to comment on Bangladesh’s prospects.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina strikes a middle ground between the US and China. Photo: AFP/Indranil Mukherjee
Bangladesh believes in a free, open, peaceful, safe and inclusive Indo-Pacific and considers the region’s stability and prosperity essential to its Vision-2041expressing the ambition to become a developed nation by 2041.
Clearly in view of increasing pressure on “swing” states to join the ranks of the great powers, Bangladesh in the vision also clarifies that it believes in international relations based on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and equality, political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations and peaceful settlement of international disputes.
Bangladesh also reaffirms its compliance with relevant UN conventions and international conventions such as the United States Convention on the Law of the Sea. It also emphasizes strengthening mutual trust and respect, forging partnerships and cooperation, and promoting dialogue between nations. Moreover, it asks for strengthening existing maritime safety and security mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific.
Bangladesh’s outlook also prioritizes improving physical, institutional, energy, digital and human connectivity, facilitating the movement of goods, services, capital and people across state lines.
Across the region, Bangladesh’s prospects also call for cooperation between Indo-Pacific countries. The 15 points also include cooperation with sub-regional partners and relevant organizations for regional cooperation and mutual benefits.
Balance between the major power rivalries
A look at the 15-point document suggests that Bangladesh is reaffirming its faith in the liberal order. Accommodating the free and open Indo-Pacific and reaffirming its belief in the peaceful settlement of disputes is an example of such claims. Bangladesh’s belief in liberal values and norms furthers the interests of Western countries, such as the United States and its allies, in maintaining the status quo.
On the other hand, Bangladesh’s emphasis on connectivity and free movement of goods and services promotes the interests of emerging powers such as China and India. Therefore, the outlook may allow the country to even out tensions between great powers, especially amid the current geopolitical rivalry.
The outlook also emphasizes sub-regional and other relevant organizations for mutual benefit. In recent years, Bangladesh has deepened its involvement in ASEAN and attended mini-laterals such as the Colombo Security Conclave. It is also the current president of the Indian Ocean Rim Organization.
Such sub-regional and mini-lateral organizations will help the country to ensure security in the region without taking sides. And, finally, Bangladesh’s inclusion of multilateralism and sustainable development goals also suggests that the country is likely to rely on global platforms and forums for its security. Emphasis on these organizations will enable Bangladesh to remain neutral while ensuring security.
Moreover, to assure the great powers of its intentions, Bangladesh has adopted both the “connectivity” philosophy of emerging powers – such as China and to some extent India – to expand their connections to the world through infrastructure, mobility and cooperation in various sectors, but also liberal values such as the free and open Indo-Pacific valued by Western powers.
Map of Bangladesh: Global Courant Files
Perhaps it is difficult for a neutral state to embrace both. The effectiveness of such a vision depends largely on its diplomacy and national power.
This position is in any case in line with that of Bangladesh long practiced principles such as friendship for all, malice against none, balanced and neutral foreign policy and multilateralism.
An example for other coastal and small states?
It seems that Bangladesh’s prospects will be successful in the near future. The outlook and subsequent tilt towards Japan may mean that the country is trying to strike a balance between Chinese and Western states. Like many other countries, Bangladesh prefers to sit on the fence in the current rivalry between great powers.
Hence, the country strives to geo-economically manage major power interests – an often neglected but highly relevant approach.
Bangladesh’s two key actions – joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative and approving a deep-sea port project with Japan – suggest that Dhaka is aiming to provide both blocs with equal geoeconomic opportunities while meeting infrastructure demand. But success will largely depend on the country’s diplomatic prudence and policy implementation.
In the current context, the coastal areas and small states need peace and security for the prosperity of their nation. In the midst of such complex interdependence, they rely almost entirely on the great powers and powerhouses for their broad commercial, economic and security activities. Therefore, choosing sides becomes a zero-sum game and challenges their interdependence.
Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook can take care of both in this context. It promotes a positive-sum game and steers clear of side-picking. Relying on multilateralism and neutral policies is also beneficial for cooperation. Therefore, it is an exemplary view for states such as Sri Lanka or the Maldives or other small and coastal states in the Indo-Pacific.
A small state that cannot afford side-picking must maintain a balance between the major powers, as Bangladesh has done, and mobilize its geo-economic resources to align interests.
Doreen Chowdhury ([email protected]) is a PhD candidate at the University of Groningen.
This article was first published by Pacific Forum. Global Courant republishes it with permission.
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