Foreign relations of Bangladesh
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Bangladesh pursues a moderate foreign policy that places heavy reliance on multinational diplomacy, especially at the United Nations.
[edit] Participation in Multilateral Organizations
[edit] Commonwealth
Bangladesh joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1972 and has actively participated in the Heads of Government conferences that occur bi-annually.
[edit] United Nations
Bangladesh was admitted to the United Nations in 1974 and was elected to a Security Council term in 1978 and again for a 2000-2002 term. Foreign Minister Choudhury served as president of the 41st UN General Assembly in 1986.
In recent years, Bangladesh has played a significant role in international peacekeeping activities. Several thousand Bangladeshi military personnel are deployed overseas on peacekeeping operations. Under UN auspices, Bangladeshi troops have served or are serving in Somalia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kuwait, Bosnia, and Haiti, and units are currently serving in Kuwait and East Timor. Bangladesh responded quickly to President Clinton's 1994 request for troops and police for the multinational force for Haiti and provided the largest non-U.S. contingent. Bangladesh has the largest number of peacekeeping troops in the United Nations peacekeeping force since 2001.
[edit] Non Aligned Movement
Bangladesh was slated to become the next chairman of NAM at the summit scheduled for Dhaka 2001, however it was later decided to host the summit at an alternative venue.
[edit] Organization of the Islamic Conference
Following the recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan in 1974, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led a Bangladeshi delegation to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) conference in Lahore upon which Bangladesh was admitted as a member.
In 1977, the President Ziaur Rahman amended the Constitution of Bangladesh, including a clause stating that "the state shall endeavour to consolidate, preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic solidarity". Since then, an explicit goal of Bangladeshi foreign policy has been to seek close relations with other Islamic states.
In 1983, Bangladesh hosted the foreign ministers meeting of the OIC.
[edit] South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
The government also pursued the expansion of cooperation among the nations of South Asia, bringing the process--an initiative of former President Ziaur Rahman--through its earliest, most tentative stages to the formal inauguration of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) at a summit gathering of South Asian leaders in Dhaka in December 1985. Bangladesh has served in the chairmanship of SAARC and has participated in a wide range of ongoing SAARC regional activities
[edit] Other
Bangladesh is currently chairman of the Group of 8 Developing Countries. The government has participated in numerous international conferences, especially those dealing with population, food, development, and women's issues. In 1982-83, Bangladesh played a constructive role as chairman of the "Group of 77," an informal association encompassing most of the world's developing nations. It has taken a leading role in the "Group of 48" developing countries.Bangladesh also participate in these international organizations: ARF, AsDB, BIMSTEC,CP,FAO,IAEA, IBRD,ICAO,ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM,IDA,IDB,IFAD,IFC,IFRCS,IHO,ILO,IMF,IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, SACEP, UNCTADUNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTO,OPCW.
[edit] Bilateral relations
Since Bangladesh is almost entirely encircled by India via a land border which stretches 2400 kilometers (1500 miles), its relations with India are vital. These relations furthermore have been subject to the traditional Pakistan-India polarity of the subcontinent. This effect was most marked during the administration of Mujibur Rahman, after whose assassination Pakistan immediately recognized Bangladesh and announced an aid package while India's attitude cooled considerably. The relations are further complicated by the two main political parties supporting opposing sides: Awami League has a relatively India-friendly platform while BNP has an anti-India pro-Pakistan platform.
[edit] Republic of India
At the outset India's relations with Bangladesh could not have been stronger because of India's unalloyed support for independence and opposition against Pakistan at the time. During the civil war, many refugees fled to India. India also intervened militarily and may have helped bring international attention to the issue through Indira Gandhi's visit to Washington. Afterwards India furnished relief and reconstruction aid. India extended recognition to Bangladesh prior to the end of the war in 1971 (the second country to do so after Bhutan) and subsequently lobbied others to follow suit.
Indo-Bangladesh relations have been strained[1] over the years over issues such as South Talpatti Island, the Tin Bigha corridor and access to Nepal, the Farakka Barrage and water sharing, border conflicts near Tripura and the construction of a fence along most of the border which India explains as security provision against migrants, insurgents and terrorists. Many Bangladeshis feel India likes to play "big brother" to smaller neighbors, including Bangladesh. Bilateral relations warmed in 1996, due to a softer Indian foreign policy and the new Awami League Government. A 30-year water-sharing agreement for the Ganges River was signed in December 1996, after an earlier bilateral water-sharing agreement for the Ganges River lapsed in 1988. Both nations also have cooperated on the issue of flood warning and preparedness. The Bangladesh Government and tribal insurgents signed a peace accord in December 1997, which allowed for the return of tribal refugees who had fled into India, beginning in 1986, to escape violence caused by an insurgency in their homeland in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Bangladesh Army maintains a very strong presence in the area to this day. The army is increasingly concerned about a growing problem of cultivation of illegal drugs.
There are also small pieces of land along the border region that Bangladesh is diplomatically trying to reclaim. Padua, part of Sylhet Division before 1971, has been under Indian control since the war in 1971. This small strip of land was re-occupied by the BDR in 2001, but later given back to India after Bangladesh government decided to solve the problem through diplomatic negotiations. South Talpatty island (called New Moor by India), administered under Satkhira district of Bangladesh, is still under Indian military occupation, though the Bangladesh government sent satellite images to the Indian government proving the island to be within Bangladeshi territory.
In recent years India has increasingly complained that Bangladesh does not secure its border properly. It fears an increasing flow of economically depressed Bangladeshis and it accuses Bangladesh of harboring Indian separatist groups like ULFA and alleged terrorist groups. The Bangladesh government has consistently denied these accusations.[2][3] India estimates that over 20 million Bangladeshis are living illegally in India.[4] One Bangladeshi official responded that "there is not a single Bangladeshi migrant in India".[5] Since 2002, India has been constructing an India - Bangladesh Fence along much of the 2500 mile border.[6]
But recent relations are not without bright spots. In May 2007 they announced that for the first time since the 1965 Indo-Pak War, rail service between Kolkata and Dhaka will be restored, a lapse of 42 years.[7] Moreover in October 2007 some cooperation was announced on the border issues mentioned above.[8] These signs of cooperation coincide for the moment at least with a change in Bangladeshi leadership that is expected to last until the end of 2008.
[edit] Islamic Republic of Pakistan
The Bangladesh-Pakistan relationship is yet to be at a level that may be called warm. However since full diplomatic relations were implemented in January 1976, it has shown improvement in bilateral relations concerning commerce, culture and trade and making reconciliatory agreements.
Landmarks in their reconciliation are:
- An August 1973 agreement between Bangladesh and Pakistan on the repatriation of numerous individuals, including 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war stranded in Bangladesh as a result of the 1971 conflict;
- A February 1974 accord by Bangladesh and Pakistan on mutual diplomatic recognition, followed more than 2 years later by establishment of formal diplomatic relations on January 18th 1976
- The organization by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) of an airlift that moved almost 250,000 Bengalis from Pakistan to Bangladesh, and non-Bengalis from Bangladesh to Pakistan; and
- Exchanges of high-level visits, including a visit by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to Bangladesh in 1989 and visits by Prime Minister khalida Zia to Pakistan in 1992 and in 1995.
Still to be resolved are the division of assets from the pre-1971 period and the status of more than 250,000 non-Bengalis who are ethnically Biharis also known as Stranded Pakistanis remaining in Bangladesh but seeking resettlement in Pakistan.
[edit] The People's Republic of China
Early relations with the People's Republic of China were cold due to the rare use of China's veto at the United Nations Security Council to block Bangladesh's accession to the United Nations. Lately however China has made efforts to improve relations with many of its neighbors. Trade with China reached a record level in 2006 of $3.2 billion under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (AFTA). A large trade imbalance exists in China's favor however, which is the target of an aid package and plan announced by China in 2007.[9]
[edit] United States
The United States is an aid donor to Bangladesh. It provides assistance during natural calamities. In the post 9/11 scenario, American policy-makers expressed support for moderation in one of the Muslim's world's few democracies. The US State Department voiced support for free elections before 2008 ends.
[edit] Britain and Europe
The ties between Britain and Bangladesh date back to the British Raj. Today the large Bangladeshi immigrant population in the United Kingdom, particularly from Sylhet, shapes relations between the two countries.
European countries, particularly from Scandinavia, provide significant economic assistance to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's relations with the European Union and its member states remained a priority area in the foreign policy context. A number of achievements were made in the economic field during that brief period. At present EU is the top export destination of Bangladesh's products( 48% of the total product). International Jute Study Group is being established in Dhaka. Bangladesh successfully participated in World Apparel Fair, European Seafood Exposition, Bangladesh Trade Show in Moscow and Kiev.
[edit] Saudi Arabia and the Middle East
Bangladesh supplies over 1 million guest workers to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and other Gulf countries. In turn most of Bangladesh's oil is imported from this region.
Islamic countries and charities provide economic aid usually to advance the Islamic agenda, including funding mosques and madrassas.
[edit] Iran
[edit] Russia
[edit] Japan
[edit] Bhutan
Along with India, Bangladesh is one of the only two nations to have a residential embassy in Bhutan. The relationship between Bhutan and Bangladesh have always been positive since 1971 when the former became one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh after gaining independence from Pakistan.
[edit] Nepal
Nepal has good bilateral relations with Bangladesh as they view the latter nation as a great access to the sea giving them the opportunity to develop potential transit and trade facilities and be less dependent on India and China. Nepal recognised Bangladesh on the 16 January, 1972 and relations further improved after military coup on August 1975. The turning point for the two nations occurred in April 1976, signing a four-point agreement on technical cooperation, trade, transit and civil aviation. They both seek cooperation in the fields of power generation and development of water resources. In 1986, relations further improved when Bangladesh insisted Nepal should be included on a deal regarding the distribution of water from the Ganges River.
[edit] Myanmar
Bilateral ties with Burma are good, despite occasional border strains and an influx of more than 270,000 Muslim refugees (known as "Rohingya") from predominantly Buddhist Burma. As a result of bilateral discussions, and with the cooperation and assistance of the UNHCR, most of the Rohingya refugees have now returned to Burma. As of 2000, about 22,000 refugees remain in camps in southern Bangladesh.
[edit] South Asia
Other countries in South Asia. Bangladesh maintains friendly relations with Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and strongly opposed the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Bangladesh and Nepal recently agreed to facilitate land transit between the two countries.
[edit] New Zealand
Relations between the two nations are friendly since 1971 with New Zealand amongst the few nations to quickly recognise Bangladesh. The trade balance between the two nations is satisfactory and remain in New Zealands favour. Bangladesh exports its raw materials such as jute, textiles and clothing whereas New Zealand invests in areas such as banking, education and infrastructure development. There is also a small Bangladeshi community in New Zealand.
[edit] France
France and Bangladesh share an amicable relationship. In 1991, France cancelled Bangladesh's public debt ( FRF 598M) as a gesture of goodwill. Trade between the two remains in Bangladesh's favour and France being its fourth biggest customer in 2005 (5.9% of Bangladeshi exports). France has many direct investments in the country such as the Lafarge cement plant in Chatak and has recently shown interest in aiding Bangladesh with the development of a nuclear power plant for civilian purposes.
[edit] Malaysia
As two predominantly Muslim nations known for its tolerance and religious moderation, the two nations share an excellent relationship. Malaysia was one of the the first Muslim states along with Indonesia to recognise Bangladesh and since then the two have seen a rapid growth of cooperation between them. Malaysia offers economic and technical assistance, trade and investment while Bangladesh offers a cheap labour workforce for areas such as construction.
Malaysia is the largest ASEAN investor in Bangladesh and Malaysian companies have invested $1.3 billion in 59 projects in 2007 in areas such as telecommunications, textiles and financial sector. However the trade balance is overwhelmingly in Malaysia's favour, during the 2006-07 fiscal year, exports were a mere $16.9 million compared to $384.16 million in imports. Trading between the two nations are increasing especially in pharmaceutical exports with a number businesses are calling for a Free Trade Agreement to balance out the trade deficit.
Many Malaysian companies have shown keen interest to participate in infrastructure projects here such as power generation, sea port development, waste disposal system, construction of roads and highways as well as in the service sector such as education and healthcare. Malaysia said will continue to contribute positive efforts to promote and expand bilateral relations with Bangladesh , particularly in trade and investment. Pending projects like the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, worth $1.2 billion, power generation, port development etc would be completed.
Bangladesh and Malaysia are also members of Developing 8, OIC, Commonwealth, Like Minded Group and Non-Aligned Movement show that the two have similar views on regional and international issues.
Issue of labor force administration in Malaysia has somewhat strained the bilateral ties temporarily. In 2007 Malaysia banned imports of Bangladeshi workers into the country after hundreds of them were stranded at an airport because their employers failed to collect them. There were demonstrations in Kuala Lampur by Bangladeshi workers demanding payments and better conditions. This created a crisis in the bilateral ties but issue has been resolved with the interference of the governments. The government had placed a similar restriction in 1999 but lifted the ban last year by approving an initial intake of 300,000 workers.
[edit] South Africa
Relations began during the inauguration of Nelson Mandela in 1994, and full diplomatic relations were implemented on 10 September, 1994.
Bangladesh exports its raw materials such as leather, finished jute and also garments and textiles. South Africa exports to Bangladesh are iron ore, steel, aluminium, infrastructure projects and machinery and equipment for railways.
[edit] Disputes - international
A portion of the boundary with India was undefined, and there was a disagreement with India over South Talpatti Island / New Moore Island.
[edit] References
- This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain.
- This article contains material from the US Department of State's Background Notes which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain.
- ^ For Bangladesh : India is causing trouble, International Herald Tribune, 2003-01-22
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/04/stories/2007030402720800.htm Bangladesh promises India all help against insurgents
- ^ Dhaka dismisses Mumbai bomb claim, BBC World News, 2006-07-15
- ^ The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News
- ^ http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030217/edit.htm#3Problem of Bangladeshi migrants
- ^ India fences off Bangladesh to keep out Muslim terror. Retrieved on 2007-07-11.
- ^ Security concerns delay India-Bangladesh train link, Reuters, Jul 30, 2007
- ^ Bangladesh, India exchange crime information, Reuters, 2007-10-29
- ^ China grants over USD 10 mn aid to Bangladesh, The Economic Times, 23 Jul, 2007
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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