Bangladesh-US relations: Opportunities and challenges

                      MD. Shariful Islam

Through the visit of Hilary Rodham Clinton, the US secretary of state and particularly through the signing of 'Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue Agreement' many argue that it is a new beginning of Bangladesh-US relations as there has been no formal framework of relationship previously. Well, but it has raised several questions to my mind that, are we going to be benefitted from this agreement? If we are, then what are the opportunities as well as challenges in this regard? Why the US, the lone super power, is interested to promote its bilateral relations with Bangladesh? Is the importance of Bangladesh growing in the arena of international politics? Let's see the answers of these questions.
First of all, we have to keep in mind the geo-strategic importance of Bangladesh. Though we are small in terms of territory but in terms of population, Bangladesh is the 7th largest country in the world. We are also the 4th largest Muslim country. Without any doubt, Bangladesh is one of the peaceful countries in the world. Bangladesh's growing contributions on the regional and global stage is recognised. World-renowned experts on cholera traveled to Haiti, Somalia, and other places to help fight deadly outbreaks. Furthermore, Bangladesh is the highest contributor in terms of personnel to the UN Peace Keeping Missions.
We have huge potentials in our large population; we have homogeneity of race, common language, communal harmony, fertile lands, less demanding population and particularly availability of natural gas. And after the ITLOS verdict, the geo-strategic importance of Bangladesh has been significantly increased. Now we see that the US is willing to accelerate its bilateral relations with Bangladesh which can be understood from successive visits of high ranking US officials in the recent time. In February, 2012, two senior officials of the US State Department, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human rights Maria Otero and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake visited Bangladesh. On April 5, 2012, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, visited Dhaka to discuss bilateral issues with top government officials, opposition leaders and civil society members. The two-day official tour of Wendy Sherman, third in position in the State Department, was considered crucial. And through the visit of Hilary Clinton, the relationship got a new impetus.
Secondly, the geo-strategic position of Bangladesh. We have to keep in mind that, 21st century is often hailed as the Asian century because of the rise of China and India. And many often argue that there is a tremendous shift in global geopolitics from Middle East to Asia Pacific region and particularly South Asia. I think the US wants to show the international community that the US is willing to build a better relationship with the Muslim world and does not hate Muslims. So, the United States has long-standing supportive relations with Bangladesh and views Bangladesh as a moderate voice in the Islamic world.
Thirdly, Hilary Clinton provided some assurance in the meeting about looking into providing duty free access to Bangladesh garment exports. If we get this duty free access then our foreign exchange reserves will increase tremendously as in the last year Bangladesh reportedly paid $ 652 million in duties to the US treasury on exports of $ 4.27 billion (Syed Saad Andaleeb, “Hilary Clinton's visit: NRB musings,” The Daily Star, May 10, 2012)
Furthermore, Bangladesh got a framework for discussing numerous issues in yearly basis. So, it is positive for Bangladesh. If I quote from Hilary then it will be more pertinent: "So there is a great, deep, rich, comprehensive agenda between the two countries, and that is why we have decided to create a US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue … This new agreement should leave no doubt how much the United States values the partnership between our two countries."
Against this backdrop, I see there are a number of opportunities as well as challenges ahead. First of all, we know very well how efficient we are in diplomacy. So, we must enhance our diplomatic and negotiating skills as, working with USA on a yearly basis without efficiency is quite difficult. On discussion table, we could raise the issue of duty free access of our garments in US market, the issue of Millennium Challenge Fund that will be beneficial to our country and most importantly the long pending water sharing disputes with India. So, there are a number of opportunities as well as challenges.
Bangladesh has to balance its priorities within a competing environment between USA, China and, India so that it's national interests are uphold. And most importantly, to promote our national interest and, to get benefit from any agreement with any country, as a nation we have to be united as 'united we stand, divided we fall'.

The writer is a Post Graduate Student, Dept. of International Relations, University of Dhaka.

The Daily Star, 02 June 2012