Foreign-Affairs
Dangling threat of visa sanctions in Bangladesh’s case, US silent on undeclared martial law situation in Pakistan: Geostrategist Chellaney
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement to withhold visas from individuals "responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process" in Bangladesh is hardly conducive to the promotion of this aim, says Professor Emeritus of Strategic Studies at the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi, Brahma Chellaney.
"If anything, it is likely to prove counterproductive," he wrote in an article published by Nikkei Asia on Monday.
Also read: New US visa policy declared targeting next Bangladesh polls
Chellaney is a former adviser to India's National Security Council, and has authored nine books, including "Water: Asia's New Battleground".
US President Joe Biden’s administration “has made Bangladesh a focus of its democracy promotion efforts by dangling the threat of visa sanctions against officials who undermine free elections while staying silent on the undeclared martial law situation in Pakistan, where mass arrests, disappearances and torture have become political weapons,” writes the professor.
Also read: US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh government: Shahriar Alam
"The short answer is that US promotion of democratic rights has long been selective, with geopolitical considerations often dominant. The pursuit of moral legitimacy for the cause of democracy promotion has also contributed to making sanctions the tool of choice for US policymakers," Prof Chellaney says.
In the case of Bangladesh, he thinks, the Biden administration is seeking to leverage two other factors: that close relatives of many Bangladeshi politicians live in the US or Britain, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son who holds an American green card; and that the bulk of Bangladesh's exports go to the West, with the US being the top destination.
Also read: Bangladesh expects new US visa policy will not be applied arbitrarily in non-objective manner
"In fact, bullying the world's seventh-most populous country, far from helping to promote a free and fair election, is more likely to revive painful memories of how the US looked the other way in 1971 as the Pakistani military brutally resisted Bangladesh's efforts to achieve independence from Islamabad, slaughtering up to 3 million people. What is Washington really after now?" — the professor questions.
Bangladesh's impressive growth trajectory stands in stark contrast to the chronic political and economic turmoil seen in Pakistan, which today is teetering on the brink of default. Yet while Bangladesh was excluded from the Summits for Democracy convened in 2021 and earlier this year by Biden, Pakistan was invited both times though it did not attend either, the article reads.
Also read: US eyeing enhanced cooperation with Bangladesh in security and trade
While continuing to reward Pakistan by prioritizing short-term geopolitical considerations, the Biden administration has been criticizing democratic backsliding in Bangladesh.
Blinken's wielding of the “visa-sanctions stick” is clearly aimed at members of PM Hasina's government, including law enforcement and other security officials, although the announcement of the new policy also mentioned members of opposition parties, Prof Chellaney writes.
Also read: US consistent on the need for free, fair election in Bangladesh: White House
"But sanctioning foreign officials usually serves no more than a symbolic purpose while hampering diplomacy. It can also have unintended consequences," he adds.
The professor observed that the new hardline towards Dhaka makes little sense. "The Hasina government could be a significant partner in the US war on terror and in improving Asian security. Instead, bilateral relations are under strain. No one from the Biden administration even met with Hasina when she visited Washington last month for discussions with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund."
"While in Singapore this month, (US Defense Secretary Lloyd) Austin declared that America ‘will not flinch in the face of bullying or coercion’ from China. But bullying and coercion are also unlikely to advance US interests in Bangladesh," the article reads.
Also read: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam
Uphold multilateralism for greater global interest: Momen tells G20 meeting
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday intervened at various sessions of the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting and emphasized upholding the true spirit of multilateralism for greater interest of the Global Community.
He stressed on the challenges faced by the Countries of Global South and called for support from developed countries on means of implementation, financing and capacity building, according to a message from Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar chaired the meeting. Foreign Ministers/Ministers from a number of the G20 countries as well as guest countries attended this important meeting, which primarily focused on multilateralism, progress of implementation of SDGs and Green Development.
Read: Energy cooperation has been the backbone of Bangladesh-Russia economic relations: Ambassador
Momen highlighted the various steps and achievements made by Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in implementation of SDGs, Green Development and adopting various initiatives to facilitate the ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ Mission .
He also met his Indian counterpart Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Both foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over the existing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
They discussed issues of bilateral interests and the various important events which are expected to take place in the coming days.
Read: FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting
Momen appreciated India for successfully steering the G20 meetings and their leadership role in addressing the global challenges under India’s G20 presidency.
Both FMs expressed satisfaction over various achievements which have been taken in the recent time.
Momen also met Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore and Isobel Coleman, Deputy Administrator of USAID.
PM Hasina sends mangoes for Mamata
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday sent 1,200 kgs of mangoes as a gift for India’s West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The mangoes were sent through Jashore's Benapole land port.
Read: PM Hasina sends mangoes to Indian President, PM as gift
The shipment arrived at the Benapole-Petrapole check post around 12 pm, said Benapole customs house deputy commissioner Tanvir Ahmed.
Kawsar Sarowar, administrative officer (Accounts) of the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata received the consignment.
Last year, PM Hasina sent two trucks of Haribhanga mangoes to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee.
Energy cooperation has been the backbone of Bangladesh-Russia economic relations: Ambassador
Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Aleksandr Mantytsky has said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the megaproject of the State Corporation Rosatom, will strengthen the energy security of Bangladesh.
“Energy cooperation has always been the backbone of our economic relations. Gazprom company has successfully drilled 20 gas wells in the south of your country,” he said.
Read: FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting
The ambassador was speaking at a reception on the occasion of Russian Day on Sunday evening. Agriculture Minister Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque spoke as the chief guest.
The agriculture minister highlighted the importance of the relationship between Bangladesh and Russia and remembered the role of the latter during the Liberation War. “Russia is always in our heart,” he said.
Russia and Bangladesh have been maintaining “close friendship and cooperation” since 1971, when the then USSR whole-heartedly supported the Liberation War.
The Russian ambassador said his country remains committed to ensuring Bangladesh’s food security, steadily supplying wheat and fertilizers.
Read: Bangladesh, UN to work closely to achieve SDGs
“I am sure that the bonds of sincere friendship between Russia and Bangladesh and their people will keep on thriving in the years ahead,” he said.
In 2021, Ambassador Mantytsky said that Russia-Bangladesh bilateral trade volume reached a record amount of almost US$ 3 billion.
Despite “artificial external obstacles and counterproductive sanction policy” employed by the Western states, the envoy said their governments and business communities are promptly adjusting to the new reality and determined to expand the trade relations to attain new heights.
Moscow and Dhaka have no major unresolved political issues, strongly advocate multilateralism and non-alignment in international relations, spare no efforts in countering terrorism, extremism, cybercrime, xenophobia, neo-colonialism and climate change, said the ambassador.
“Dynamic interactions within international organizations enable us to efficiently coordinate efforts to these ends,” he said.
Read: Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association launched in Rome
Over the years, the ambassador said, they have developed different mechanisms of bilateral interaction, such as the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, foreign office consultations, parliamentary friendship groups, friendship societies and working groups.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, political leaders, ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka, civil society members, and senior journalists were present at the event.
UNDP to work with content creators to promote SDGs
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh will work with eight prominent content creators for one year. They will act as UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Socializer: Empowering Change Through Social Media Advocacy.
A signing ceremony for that was held at UNDP office at Agargaon on 11 June.
Read: FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting
“The SDG Socializers are prominent individuals in Bangladesh from the worlds of arts, sciences, literature, entertainment, sport, or other fields of public life,” UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller said at the signing ceremony.
“Through their past actions, they have demonstrated their desire to contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is a key factor behind their selection for this voluntary role,” he added.
“We have only seven years left to achieve the SDGs. I believe working with content creators and using social media as an advocacy tool will be catalytic in making a push for the SDGs,” Stefan added.
Read: Bangladesh, UN to work closely to achieve SDGs
The content creators include educator Enayet Chowdhury, child rights activist and climate campaigner Faatiha Aayat, food blogger Iftekhar Rafsan, singer Masha Islam, vlogger Mashrur Enan, artist Masuda Khan, cartoonist Morshed Mishu, dancer and choreographer Ridy Sheikh, and actress Taslima Hossain Nodi.
“As popular figures, the socializers will serve as a primary catalyst in raising awareness for eradicating poverty and inequality, strengthening governance, developing resilience, protecting the environment, promoting clean energy and ensuring gender equality,” UNDP Bangladesh’s Head of Communications, Md Abdul Quayyum said at the signing.
“All of these individuals have great followings on social media and have demonstrated social responsibility and advocacy towards sustainable development. Through them, we want to advocate to the mass audience, especially the youth, about the need to act now for a better future,” he added.
FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen is visiting India at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Dr S Jaishankar.
He will attend the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting under the G20 Indian Presidency which will end on June 13 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Dr Momen is expected to make interventions in different sessions of DMM on June 12, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Union Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar will chair the meeting.
Read: Bangladesh, UN to work closely to achieve SDGs
The Varanasi Development Ministers’ Meeting takes place amidst mounting developmental challenges that have been further aggravated by economic slowdown, debt distress, impacts of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, growing poverty and inequality, food and energy insecurity, cost-of-living crisis, global supply-chain disruptions, and geo-political conflicts and tensions.
The G20 Development Ministerial meeting will be an opportunity to collectively agree on actions for accelerating achievement of the SDGs and foster synergies between the development, environment and climate agendas while avoiding costly trade-offs that hold back progress for the developing countries, according to MEA.
The meeting follows the Voice of the Global South Summit that was hosted by India in January 2023, and the decisions taken at the Varanasi meeting will also contribute to the United Nations SDG Summit which will take place in September in New York.
Read: Awami League's policy unchanged despite allowing Jamaat rally: Home Minister
The meeting will consist of two main sessions, one on "Multilateralism: Collective Actions for Accelerating Progress towards SDGs” and another on "Green Development: A LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Approach”.
The Development Ministers’ Meeting was preceded by the fourth and final Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting, which was held in Delhi from June 6-9.
The DWG, while building on the crucial work done by previous G20 presidencies, has carried forward its mandate of enhancing G20's contribution to accelerating progress towards SDGs and strengthening G20 long-term vision in this regard including by strengthening G20 efforts towards fostering sustainable, inclusive and resilient economic growth.
Cultural programmes, exhibitions and excursions have also been organized to provide the delegates a glimpse into the rich culture and traditions of Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world.
Read more: With G20 event, India seeks to project normalcy in disputed Kashmir
A total of 200 delegates are expected to attend the meeting.
Bangladesh, UN to work closely to achieve SDGs
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on Sunday said the United Nations in Bangladesh stands ready to help the government and the people of Bangladesh navigate the path towards inclusive sustainable development which leaves no one behind.
"We need to work together to not only advance development, but to accelerate our joint efforts to reach our shared goals by 2030," she said.
Read: Didn’t get proposal from any country, org over talks, framework beyond Constitution: Shahriar
The government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Country Team conducted a comprehensive review of their collaborative efforts to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This discussion took place on Sunday at the second Joint Steering Committee meeting of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-26, co-chaired by the Secretary of the Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance and the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.
Read: Religious leaders shocked at congressmen's letter to Biden
The UNSDCF 2022-26, co-signed by the Government of Bangladesh and all UN agencies, funds and programmes working in Bangladesh, is the UN’s five-year plan to accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals in line with the Country’s 8th Five-Year Plan.
The Joint Steering Committee meeting, attended by 22 ministries of the government of Bangladesh and 17 UN agencies, funds and programmes, discussed how in 2022, UN agencies, funds, and programmes provided over USD 241.2 million in assistance to support inclusive and sustainable economic development, equitable human development and well-being, a sustainable, healthy, and resilient environment, transformative, participatory and inclusive governance and gender equality and efforts to eliminate gender-based violence.
During the meeting, the Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, Sharifa Khan, emphasized the significant role played by the partnership between the United Nations and the government of Bangladesh in advancing the nation's development.
Read: Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association launched in Rome
"As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from its status as a Least Developed Country in 2026, Ms. Khan expressed confidence that the collaboration would gain further momentum in the coming year," she said.
Didn’t get proposal from any country, org over talks, framework beyond Constitution: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Sunday said no foreign country or organisation came up with any proposal for holding political dialogue or any suggestion or framework beyond the current constitutional provision.
He said he did not part of any such meeting over the 9-10 years.
Shahriar Alam said even no country or organisation did convey anything as such to his colleagues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read: Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association launched in Rome
The state minister made the remarks while responding to questions from a small group of journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"I don't know why political leadership (opposition) is saying these things. But we did not receive any such proposals from any country or organisation, forget about pressure," he said.
Responding to a question over UN involvement, he said, "There is no need. UN gets involved in a war or massive conflict situation."
He said the Election Commission is working to hold the election and foreign election observers will come to see as invited by the EC.
Read: Bangladesh, Denmark joint action plan for 2023-2028 to be launched soon
Responding to a question on Rohingya repatriation, the state minister said Bangladesh is still committed for safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas. "What we had said in the past remains unchanged."
He said they must continue the efforts and if the situation in Myanmar is not satisfactory to the Rohingyas, they can come back.
But it is very unfortunate that those who were staying at transit camp for repatriation were not provided with food by the UN agency, he said.
The state minister said it needs to make sure that such unfortunate things do not repeat. "Certainly, the UN will look into it."
Read: Italy wants to promote legal pathways for migration: Ambassador Enrico Nunziata
He said the remarks made by the UN expert on Myanmar undermine and disrespect Bangladesh's efforts towards repatriation.
"Trial is a trial. It's not a large-scale repatriation. Since, the number is insignificant, we can bring them back if that doesn't work," Shahriar Alam said adding "We don't see any reason to go against it."
"This is truly a trial," he said, adding that the government kept the UNHCR informed.
53rd DG level border talks begin in New Delhi
The four-day long 53rd Director General (DG) level border conference between Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force has begun in the Indian capital New Delhi.
The formal meeting of the conference began at 10.30 am on Sunday at BSF Chhawla Camp in India's New Delhi.
A 14-member Bangladesh delegation led by Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan, DG of the BGB, participated in the conference while his counterpart DG BSF Dr Sujoy Lal Thaosen led a 10-member Indian delegation at the four-day talks, which will be ended on Wednesday through signing a Joint Record of Discussions (JRD).
Read: MoU signed to promote Bangladesh's cross-border trade capacity in agro-processed food products
The meeting discussed issues relating to shooting, killing and injuring the unarmed Bangladeshi nationals along the border, and smuggling of various types of contraband including narcotics, arms and ammunition from the other side of the border to Bangladesh, said Shariful Islam, Public Relation Officer of the BGB headquarters.
Infiltration of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh through the Indian border and disposing of unauthorized development infrastructure and other stalled development works within 150 yards of the border were also discussed on the first day of the meeting, he added.
Read: Border guards’ regional conference ends in Cox’s Bazar
Besides, some other issues, including the establishment of appropriate water treatment plant to remove waste water from border canal flowing from Agartala towards Akhaura; Re-opening of Rahimpur canal mouth with Kushiara river in Jokiganj; exchange of information on possible locations of regional separatist armed terrorist groups' camps and their activities; Preventing expansion of Indian telecom networks inside Bangladesh borders were discussed at the conference.
Effective implementation of the 'Coordinated Border Management Plan-CBMP' to solve border management and border-related problems, development of bilateral relations and various initiatives aimed at increasing mutual trust and goodwill were also addressed.
Earlier, a 10-member Bangladesh delegation led by BGB DG Major General A K M Nazmul Hasan reached New Delhi from Dhaka on Saturday Noon to join the border talks.
Read: India’s BSF says 5,500 CCTV cameras to be installed along borders with Bangladesh, Pakistan
BSF DG Dr. Sujoy Lal Thaosen welcomed and received the DG BGB Major General A K M Nazmul Hasan when he reached Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at noon.
After the completion of the conference, the Bangladesh delegation will return home on Wednesday afternoon.
Army chief leaves for Gambia on state visit
Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed today left Dhaka for the African country Gambia on a state visit at the invitation of the country.
His visit aims at testing capabilities and fixing the next course of actions on the co-deployment of Bangladeshi and Gambian troops in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions for the first time.
Earlier, a six-member high-level delegation led by Gambian Foreign Minister Dr Mamadou Tangara made an official visit to Bangladesh from February 8 to 13 this year with a call for the co-deployment of the troops at the UN peacekeeping missions.
Read: Army chief returns home after 3-day India visit
The delegation included Defence Minister Sheikh Omar Faye and Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Yankuba A. Drammeh, among others.
Responding to the proposal, the army chief departed the country for Gambia to test their capabilities in-person there.
A tripartite meeting among the army chief, the Gambian government, and two representatives from the UN headquarters will be held in this regard.
General Shafiuddin will meet Gambian President Adama Barrow, foreign and defence ministers, the chief of defence staff, high military officials, and representatives of civil society during his visit.
Read: Army Chief leaves for USA to attend LANPAC Conference
Different issues, including bilateral cooperation and training in peacekeeping activities, will be discussed between the countries.
The army chief is scheduled to return home on June 16, wrapping up his state visit.
Read more: Army Chief leaves for Saudi Arabia