The relationship between the United States and Bangladesh has been experiencing a very challenging time amidst the hullabaloo surrounding the recently held parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. The ongoing tensions and political rhetoric from the leaders of the party in power in Bangladesh against the position of United States in the elections are all time high in the history of the US-Bangladesh friendship and cooperation since the birth of Bangladesh in 1971.
Despite the tension between the two governments, the people of the United States support the progress of Bangladesh just like how they supported the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. The American people have been supporting the development initiatives of Bangladesh in so many ways.
Any wrongful rhetoric could escalate anti-American sentiment in Bangladesh where many religious fundamentalists are already against the support of the Western countries including the United States in many developing works partnering with both the government and non-government
projects.
As a Bangladeshi-American, we are worried about the situation that could potentially damage the long-lasting friendship between the two countries and eventually hamper the partnership.
We would like to request the current government and media to stop and discourage the anti-American rhetoric and look into ways to restart the paths of renewed partnership in economic development, counter terrorism, and military cooperation.
Both Bangladesh and the United States must extend their hands for mutual cooperation for the sake of rejuvenating historic partnership in ensuring geo-political stability in South Asia and ongoing world movement for fight against terrorism.
The relationship between the United States and Bangladesh is important for the interest of both countries.
Both Bangladesh and the United States have been working together for a safe and bright future. The United States is the largest export market for Bangladesh. According to a statistic published in 2017, the United States invested $460 million which is more than five thousand crore in Bangladeshi Taka. According to the same statistic published in 2017, the American import from Bangladesh was $5.7 billion and American export to Bangladesh was $1.5 billion. As the numbers do not lie, Bangladesh definitely benefited from the business with the United States with a margin of $4.2 billion.
The United States is the top choice for education abroad among the Bangladeshi students. Bangladesh is the 13th largest country in terms of sending students to the United States.
The number of Bangladeshi students has increased three times in the last decade. For example, a total of 3,314 students came to the United States for education in the 2011-2012 education year and the number went up to 11,000 in 2021-2022.
The United States ranks the top country in terms of foreign remittance sent by the Bangladeshi expatriates. According to a news report published by the Daily Star, the Bangladeshi expatriates sent a total of $966.89 which is equivalent to almost 10,000 crore Bangladeshi taka during the October-December fiscal quarter of 2022 which was 16% more than October-December fiscal quarter of 2021.
The United States is the important and trusted partner of Bangladesh for fighting terrorism both in Bangladesh and South Asia. Overall, the United States is a close ally of Bangladesh in the journey of development and building a prosperous Bangladesh. Despite the fact that the Nixon government did not support the Liberation War of Bangladesh due to the global political polarization during the Cold War era, it is a well-established fact that the people of the United States wholeheartedly stood for the people of Bangladesh.
The wave of people who attended the Concert for Bangladesh organized by legendary singer George Harrison in the Madison Square Garden was just one of the examples of the support of the American people for the people of Bangladesh and their fight for liberation against the Pakistani military.
We also know that Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy visited the Bengali Refugee Camps in India and raised his voice against the Pakistani atrocity in Washington. Just like these two of the many examples of American friendship during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, the American people have been championing the Bangladeshi people and their progress for a brighter and better Bangladesh.
The fact is shining just like the broad daylight if we consider the contribution and partnership of the United States in commerce, education, health care and military assistance in Bangladesh.
Scholars and foreign policy experts think that Russia and China might instigate Bangladesh to create a rift with the United States. In doing so, both Russia and China might want to expand their influence on Bangladesh and South Asia. However, Bangladesh needs to wisely evaluate the contribution of the United States to the progress of the country and work on rebuilding the long-lasting relationship with America.
As a Bangladeshi American, we humbly urge the leaders of all parties and the people of Bangladesh not to put spots in the ties and friendship between Bangladesh and the United States by spreading anti-American
rhetoric.
The anti-American rhetoric from the responsible leaders could create an anti-American sentiment in Bangladesh and thus damage the image of the United States in Bangladesh and in other Muslim countries.
The war of harsh words and rhetoric will definitely not enhance the US-Bangladesh friendship. If the Bangladesh government gets upset with any action or behavior of the United States, it is necessary to solve the issue with diplomacy and dialogue but not by the anti-American rhetoric.
Dr. Delaware Arif is an Associate Professor of Digital Journalism in the Department of Communication at University of South Alabama (USA) and Immediate Past President of the USA Faculty Senate. darif@southalabama.edu
