Bangladesh’s foreign policy : how was and is

it going in its region?PS – 3104 : Foreign policy

Nyein Nyein Thant Aung3PS-4, Political ScienceUniversity of Mandalay

Context Introduction How I measured its foreign policy Background history Internal factors & External factors International disputes How it is going ? How is their implementation of foreign policy? What needs? Conclusion

Introduction Understanding a neighborhood’s foreign policy What attracts me ? ( economy & cases concerned with illegal

migration of Bangali ) BISMTEC , BCIM , China’s road to Indian Ocean How much the domestic instabilities effective on its foreign relations What are the external pressures How it’s going ? What next?

How to measure its foreign policy ?

Internal factors public , society , govt. org., leader

External factors territorial disputes, economic & military strength.

Background history

1947 East Pakistan 1971 separation movement led by Awmai League ( AL ) 1975 military overthrew ( BNP ) 1991-2013 AL & BNP competition 2007 emergency caretaker regime December 2008 AL won January 2014 AL won

Internal factors

Political instabilitie

s

Natural disasters/ climate

refugees

Ineffective bureau

corruption

leaders

External factors

Result of

foreign policy

Territorial

disputes

TNC, MNC,

IO,INGO Economics

impact of China

How the domestic and external affairs effects ?

Internal

external

Foreign

policy

Territorial disputes with its neighbors 2001 Bangladeshi-Indian border dispute conflict

Date 16–20 April 2001

Location Bangladesh-India border

Result Status quo ante bellum

Bangladesh-India relations strained

Belligerents

Bangladesh India

Strength

1000+ (including civilians)[1][2][3][4] 2000+ [1][5][6] – a Brigade(2,000+)[7][8]

Casualties and losses

3 killed[6] 16 killed [5][9][10][11][12]

Territorial disputes with Myanmar

Territorial disputes with Myanmar

What was Bangladesh’s experience working with an international arbitration process on this issue and can this be an example for other bilateral territorial disputes in Asia? due to our excellent relations with both Myanmar and India, the

decisions taken by the international arbitration process on the demarcation of the maritime territory between Bangladesh and those two friendly countries, were accepted spontaneously by all in the spirit of friendship and understanding. Bangladesh was happy with the fair, just, and conclusive decision of the international arbitration process. It reflected and reaffirmed the integrity and correctness of the arbitration process.

As for Bangladesh, it remains convinced that such maritime differences between countries can all be solved in a similar manner in a friendly environment created by friendly relations.

From Bangladesh’s perspective, what are the greatest threats facing the South Asian Region? What can we do to address these issues?

A factor for quickening development is good connectivity of roads, rail, water, and air in the region. Good connectivity could bolster vibrant trade and commerce among the countries. These in turn could help in creating an enlightened and prosperous populace thus ridding the region of extremism and terrorism, tackling climate change, and facing all other challenges threatening the region.

Bangladesh is naturally an integral part of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). what role will Bangladesh play? Bangladesh has felt the need of the same, more so

because of its strategic location as a natural bridge between South and Southeast Asia

As for Bangladesh’s role, it is clear that whether it be BIMSTEC or be the other regional organizations, its strategic location will inevitably ensure it as the economic hub of the region, or even of the greater region. Bangladesh’s role would thus be of a catalyst for all countries not only in BIMSTEC, but also in SAARC and ASEAN, to prosper

the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

Bangladesh is also part of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Corridor, or the BCIM. How can Bangladesh contribute to this economic grouping and what does Bangladesh hope to gain from its participation?

The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Corridor or BCIM is another excellent development of physical communication by roads/highways among four neighboring countries. Bangladesh with its market of 160 million people falls literally in the middle with India’s 1.2 billion market in the west, China with 1.4 billion market in the north and Myanmar’s 70 million market in the east. With excellent connection among these huge markets, a frenzy of economic activity is inevitable among the four countries. In the center of it all would be Bangladesh, reaping substantial benefits

BCIM B = BangladeshC = China I = IndiaM = Myanmar

Bangladesh’s foreign policy is based on the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dictum, “Friendship towards all, malice towards none.”

The core principlesSelf-preservation

Economic advancement

Safeguarding as well as augmenting national power

Ideology

National prestige

What needs ? 1)    Self-preservation maintenance of its physical integrity. 2)    The unity of its people from the basis content of foreign policy

of Bangladesh. 3)    The entire congeries of rights and privileges the big powers

exercise beyond its border. 4)    Strength of national economy. 5)    Economic development and the achievement of higher level of

living. 6)    Demand an uninterrupted external existence inflow. 7)    Interactions with other states. 8)    To satisfy domestic needs and aspirations. 9)    Trade aid access to communication flows sources of supply

and foreign market

Conclusion According to armed conflict with India in 2001 with causalities and other

conflicts concerned with races , the relations between India and Bangladesh seems to be unwell

In these days, with the economic globalization, Bangladesh would like to cooperate with China through BCIM

It would like to be center for maritime trade in the region of South Asia and would like to integrate with ASEAN….

Though the records say that she is under poverty line but her economy is in rising line of 6% annually.

Despite its poverty and small military capability, Bangladesh has not hesitated to defend its sovereignty and to take strong stands on many international issues.

. The friendly relations it has enjoyed with Islamic nations have led to the receipt of economic aid from wealthy Arab countries.

The foreign policy of Bangladesh is tied closely to the realities of its economic condition

References

-Bangladesh’s Ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin on regional connectivity, maritime disputes, and regional security threats, By Diplomatic Access November 18, 2015

--Bangladesh profile - Timeline, BBC Asia, 1 January 2016

-- THE SOUTH ASIA CHANNEL Bangladesh on the Brink, MARCH 26, 2015

-- Realities and challenges to Bangladesh foreign policy Regional scenario(_i)

-- How does Bangladesh’s socio-political situation affect India - Council on Foreign Relations

--Bangladesh foreign policy faces challenges. _ PriyoAustralia.com.au

--Challenges and Opportunities in Bangladesh

--CIA world fact book 2015

-- Maritime Boundary Dispute between Myanmar and Bangladesh, Dr Kyawt Kyawt Khine,

Thank you !!! Questions & Comments pls

(^_^)