Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to have a crucial meeting with US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during G-20 Summit in New Delhi.
It is known that the relationship between Bangladesh and the US has deteriorated centring the nobel laureate Dr Yunus issue. The US and its allies are trying to salvage Yunus from different judicial proceedings including tax evasion case.
Finding BNP demand unconstitutional and considering the safety and security of the South Asian region where extremist groups were frequently given indulgence by the BNP led government in the past, the Western nations have relinquished their interest towards BNP led opposition movement.
The regional security issues have become prominent and main concern since the most sensational ten trauck-load smuggled arms for Indian cessationist ULFA terrorists using Bangladesh territory happened in the past during the BNP-Jamaat led government which India can’t compromise with.
On the other hand the new Indo-Pacific cooperation will not afford regional security uncertainty.
So, BNP’s 'one-point' demand, which is unconstitutional and undemocratic, has been submerged under Dr Mohammad Yunus and the regional security issues.
It is noted that India was the worst sufferers of the terror attacks and the Nariman House on the evening of November 28, 2008 six hostages as well as two gunmen had been killed. At the two hotels, dozens of guests and staff were either trapped by gunfire or held hostage. Indian security forces ended the siege at the Oberoi Trident around midday on November 28 and at the Taj Mahal Palace on the morning of the following day. In all, at least 174 people, including 20 security force personnel and 26 foreign nationals, were killed. More than 300 people were injured. So, the security issues of these areas are real concern of both the USA and India.
According to observers, India will try to bridge the gap of information between Bangladesh and USA on an opportune moment during the G-20 Summit. It seems that the US administration and other important persons feel obligated to favour Dr Yunus and that’s why a sort of pressures may have mounted on Bangladesh, but how Bangladesh will deal with this situation that only depends on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
It is clear that the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Delhi during the G-20 summit is considered to be very important ahead of the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary Elections to be held in the first week of January, 2024.
Bangladesh is looking forward to working together with G20 partners to find multi-dimensional solutions to the multiple crises plaguing our world and also for bolstering business ties in multiple sectors.
The positive sign is that the US is already showing its keen interest in working on this relationship through engaging in more businesses like trade, investment, and technology transfer.
‘Friendship to all, malice to none’ was the core issue of Bangladesh foreign policy. Keeping that in view, Prime Minister may also come forward for bridging the gap between US and Bangladesh as the US is a major development partner to Bangladesh, especially the country’s foreign reserves are largely dependent on RMG exports to USA and the remittance coming from the USA.
Meanwhile Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today (Thursday) where the leaders of two countries may discuss the alternative ways of repayment for installation of the reactor vessel.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Dhaka on September 11. Sources are saying that Macron’s visit will provide support to Bangladesh to deal with the pressure from the European Union and the U.S. France has increasingly reoriented its strategic posture towards the indo-pacific region and an expanding military relation with Dhaka is now within the realm of possibility. This meeting may offer an opportunity for Bangladesh to appraise Macron of the pressure that our current government has been facing from European Union and the US.
