Opinion
Bangladesh-China: Continue the Traditional Friendship, and Jointly Create a Better Future
At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh will pay an official visit to China on July 8th. This is Honorable Prime Minister Hasina’s fifth visit to China and her first visit to China after five years. It is of historic significance to build on past achievements and forge ahead for the future of bilateral relations. During the visit, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will have meetings with and call on Chinese leaders. This visit will surely inject vibrant impetus into the bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, and promote new achievements in the Strategic Partnership of Cooperation between China and Bangladesh, and elevate the relationship to a new height.
The friendship between China and Bangladesh was jointly founded and nurtured by the older generation of leaders from both countries. Over the past 49 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have always respected and treated each other as equals for mutual benefit and win-win results, supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, and worked hand in hand on the path to their respective development and revitalization, setting a shining example of friendly coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries.
The amicable cooperation between China and Bangladesh exhibits strong vitality, dynamism, and growth potential, not targeted at any third party, widely welcomed and supported by both peoples, contributing to regional and international peace and stability, as well as fostering development and prosperity. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated quite a few times that China is Bangladesh’s most trustworthy development partner and most reliable friend. This is the most vivid portrayal of the relationship between the two countries.
Over the past 49 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Bangladesh have achieved remarkable achievements in their respective national construction, economic development and modernization drive. China has become the world’s second largest economy, won the largest poverty alleviation battle in human history, completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled, and advanced the great cause of building China into a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese Modernization.
Bangladesh relies on self-reliance to feed nearly 180 million people, maintaining long-term political stability and rapid economic development. The average annual growth rate of GDP in the past decade has exceeded 6%, the total amount of GDP has exceeded 450 billion US dollars, and the per capita GDP has reached nearly 2800 US dollars. Its economic strength has risen to the second place in South Asia. Bangladesh has transformed from one of the poorest countries to one of the fastest growing economies in the world, leading South Asian countries in terms of average life expectancy, literacy rate, and female labor force share, creating the “Bay of Bengal Miracle” and becoming a leader in the Global South. Bangladesh is on track to graduate from the LDCs by 2026, and has formulated ambitious plans to become a middle-income country in 2026, an upper-middle income country in 2031, and a developed country in 2041, striding towards the realization of the “Vision 2041” and the dream of “Sonar Bangla”.
The sound and stable development of China-Bangladesh relations is inseparable from the guidance of the leaders of both countries. In 2016,Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Bangladesh. During the visit, the relationship between the two countries was elevated to Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, pointing the way for China-Bangladesh friendly cooperation in the new era. During Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China in 2019, the relationship was further elevated to a new level. China firmly supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, opposing external interference, and choosing independently a development path that suits its national conditions. China also supports Bangladesh in pursuing a foreign policy of “Friendship to all, malice towards none”. On the other hand, Bangladesh firmly adheres to the one-China principle and staunchly supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. China and Bangladesh share similar historical experiences,abide by similar foreign policies, values, and development concepts, and have always understood and supported each other. On the path of Bangladesh’s modernization, China is a loyal companion and an active contributor.
The highlight of China-Bangladesh relations lies in the high-level trade and economic cooperation. China has been Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for 13 years in a row. By the end of 2023, China has invested 3.2 billion US dollars in Bangladesh, making it Bangladesh’s second-largest source of foreign investment. China has built 7 railways, 12 highways, 21 bridges, and 31 power stations in Bangladesh. Especially since the Belt and Road Initiative has taken root in the “Golden Bay of Bengal”,the promising land of South Asia, the Chinese side has built a series of landmark projects and large-scale engineering projects for Bangladesh, such as Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, and Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, which have delivered tangible benefits to the Bangladeshi people. Right now, nearly a thousand Chinese companies are operating in Bangladesh, bringing about over 550,000 job opportunities. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina spoke highly of BRI that it has opened a new door of development for Bangladesh and played a significant role in the economic takeoff of Bangladesh.
China-Bangladesh relations are deeply rooted in the ever-closer friendly ties between the two peoples. On the International Children’s Day last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to letter from a Bangladeshi child named Alifa Chin, encouraging her to study hard, pursue her dreams and carry on the traditional friendship between Bangladesh and China. Chin’s story is an epitome of the close bonds between our two nations. Nowadays, nearly 20,000 Bangladeshi students are studying in China, and two Confucius Institutes and one Confucius Classroom have provided training programs to around 3000 students in Bangladesh over the past year. A wave of Chinese language learning has swept across Bangladesh. The Centre for China Studies in the University of Dhaka (CCS) has provided a new, larger platform for cooperation between think tanks and academia of the two countries. Direct flights between Beijing and Dhaka will officially commence by Air China and China Southern Airlines respectively this month. The number of flights will thereby amount to 80 flights per week with a capacity of over 15,000 passengers, further enhancing personnel exchanges and promoting business investment between China and Bangladesh. According to the “National Image of China in Bangladesh” survey conducted by authoritative Bangladeshi think tanks for two consecutive years, over 90% of the respondents believe that the current state of China-Bangladesh relations is positive, and there has been a noticeable increase in the approval and friendliness of the Bangladeshi people toward China.
China and Bangladesh support each other in the multilateral arena and jointly uphold international fairness and justice. China supports Bangladesh’s initiative for the “Culture of Peace” Resolution at the United Nations General Assembly for 25 consecutive years, supports Bangladesh being a partner country of the BRICS and hopes Bangladesh would be a member of the BRICS at an early date, and appreciates Bangladesh’s outstanding contributions to and enormous sacrifices in international peacekeeping operations. China and Bangladesh share similar positions on issues such as democracy promotion, human rights protection, women empowerment, climate change, environmental conservation and sustainable development. We coordinate and cooperate within multilateral organizations and mechanisms such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the ASEAN Regional Forum. China and Bangladesh have also bolstered cooperation on such issues as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukraine crisis, working together to maintain world peace and stability.
China understands and sympathizes with the tremendous costs that Bangladesh has borne regarding the Rohingya issue. Repatriation is the only way to resolve this problem. As for the situation in Rakhine State, China is sparing no effort in engaging with the relevant parties in Myanmar for a political settlement, playing a facilitating role in achieving a ceasefire in Rakhine State, and striving to restart the repatriation process for the Rohingya people.
“A partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance; it is thicker than glue and stronger than metal and stone”. During Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China, it is expected that both sides will reach important consensus and sign multiple cooperation documents and MOUs in areas such as infrastructure, free trade agreements, agricultural product exports to China, Southern Bangladesh’s Development, digital economy, disaster prevention, poverty alleviation, clean energy, healthcare, education and cultural exchanges. China stands ready to take this visit as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, consolidate traditional friendship, and work together to realize the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation and Bangladesh’s “Vision 2041”.
We wish Honorable Prime Minister Hasina’s visit to China a complete success! Long live China- Bangladesh friendship!
Yao Wen is the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh.
Bengal's sacrifice led to the Independence of USA
The 4th of July is celebrated as the Independence Day of the United States of America. On that date in 1776, the leaders of the continental 13 colonies of America adopted the Declaration of Independence from the British dominion. The 4th of July was first celebrated on the 8th of July in Boston and Philadelphia in 1777.
The people of 13 colonies of America were upset with the British rule as it has been increasing taxes to pay for wars. During the late 1760s and early 1770s, the British had to fight two wars, one in the East in Bengal and the other in the West against the 13 American colonies. In order to run two wars, the British government was facing severe strain in managing funds. Therefore, it increased taxation in the colonies. But, the leaders of American colonies could not accept additional taxation, and therefore, they launched a movement of "No taxation without representation." When Townsend tax was imposed on tea that they used to get from Bengal via Great Britain, the American revolutionaries symbolically dumped Tea Chests in the Boston Harbor popularly known as the 'Boston Tea Party'.
As the British were finding difficulty to run two wars, Prime Minister William Pitt of England asked his Cabinet to come up with a solution to fund the wars. The Cabinet Committee recommended Prime Minister William Pitt to grant Independence to 13 American colonies and intensify their war efforts in Bengal. Their rationale was that on those days, the East India Company was making more money in India than that of all 13 American colonies, the West Indies, the Caribbean, and Canada combined. In fact, the British exchequer was receiving revenue of around 400,000 pounds sterling per annum from all 13 American colonies, the West Indies, Caribbean, and Canada together. As against this, they were receiving 100 times more revenue from Bengal, nearly 40,000,000 pounds sterling annually. Therefore, the Prime Minister decided in 1776 to grant Independence to American colonies and intensify their subjugation in Bengal.
The Americans honored Prime Minister William Pitt Jr. by naming its famous industrial city of iron as Pittsburgh. No wonder James Novak of Asia Foundation, an American scholar, opined that "Bengal's sacrifice resulted in the Independence of United States of America " (Novak, 1993, p.194-97)
After almost 200 years, in 1971, when Bengalees were fighting for their Independence, the American law-makers, Senators and Congressmen, American scholars, professors, doctors, and intellectuals including American diplomats supported the cause of the liberation of Bangladesh. The American diplomat stationed in Dhaka, Arthur K. Blood and his colleagues sent his famous Blood Telegram to the US government narrating the Pakistani massacre and atrocities. Harvard Professor John Edward Mason, Professor Marglin, and David Dorfman plus Professors Hanna and Gus Papaneck, those who were experts in Pakistan, stated in April 1971, and I quote, "emergence of independent Bangladesh will be a reality." The question is, at what cost, and at the cost of how many lives. Sooner, the US administration of Nixon-Kissinger realizes it. It's better, it's better for all.
Popular American singers and musicians John Harrison, Joan Baez, Robi Sanker, et al. organized a Bangladesh Concert at the Madison Square garden in New York to raise public awareness and also funds for the refugees. Thousands of people echo them, Bangladesh, O! Bangladesh.
Although Nixon-Kissinger administration was adamant, and they violated all American national and international laws to support the Pakistani military junta to perpetuate its genocide in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), American lawmakers like Senator Edward MKennedy, Sen. Sexbe, Senator Walter Mondale, Richard Reid, Congressman Gallagher, et al. brought one after another bills to block the US weapons' shipment to Pakistan. The longshore men and women of Baltimore and Philadelphia blocked the passage of ships loaded with weapons for Pakistan with their hundreds of small boats and canopies. We, as Bangladeshis, are proud of them. We are grateful to all of them.
The good news is, although the US administration opposed the Independence of Bangladesh but once we got our victory on 16th December 1971, the US government soon recognized us, and they supported our bid for the UN membership 15 times out of 16 (once Abstained). Not only that, the USA was one of the largest donors to Bangladesh immediately after our independence. Now, our relationship with the USA is multifaceted, and they are our largest importer of RMG and also the largest investor. We share the same values and principles of democracy, human rights, freedom of religion, speech, and media just like the Americans. Bangladesh is the only country in the world that sacrificed 3 million lives in 1971 in order to establish democracy, justice, human rights, and human dignity.
While Americans are celebrating the 4th of July, their Independence Day, we also join them for better, more humane, and more peaceful world for all. Dr. A K Abdul Momen, MP and Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and also former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh
World Blood Donor Day: We urge everyone to promote a culture of regular blood donation
World Blood Donor Day, celebrated annually on 14 June, is a worldwide celebration to honour and thank those people who donate their blood, voluntarily and unpaid, to give others the gift of life. It is celebrated on the day of birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO blood group system.
This years marks the 20th year of World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) after it was first organised in 2004, by the World Health Organization (WHO) and our partners at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion.
The WBDD theme this year is ‘celebrating 20 years of giving: thank you blood donors!’
Blood transfusion plays a critical role in healthcare, benefiting patients in need of blood and its components who face life-threatening conditions. Transfusions help patients live longer and with a better quality of life. They support complex medical and surgical procedures, making them indispensable in maternal and childcare, as well as during natural or man-made disasters. Unfortunately, in many countries, demand exceeds supply, posing a challenge for blood services to make sufficient blood available while ensuring its quality and safety. Voluntary unpaid blood donations are the foundation of a safe and sufficient blood supply.
WHO established the Global Database for Blood Safety in 1998 to assess blood transfusion services' strengths and weaknesses among member states. Our South-East Asia Region (SEAR) has recently shown significant progress in blood safety. All our Member States now have national blood policies and guidelines, and most also have legal frameworks ensuring the safety and quality of blood products.
Our Region recorded around 22.3 million whole blood donations, with 100% screened for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) and ABO grouping. Hemovigilance and quality assurance for TTI and serology testing are improving, supported by WHO-SEARO through regional programs. WHO revived the Blood Achilles project in Indonesia to achieve self-sufficiency in plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs), with Thailand and India already producing PDMPs. WHO continues to support member states with technical assistance and training to ensure safe blood supply, revising guidance documents to enhance national blood transfusion services.
We encourage our Member States to provide resources and infrastructure to facilitate voluntary blood donation, and to support the development of nationally coordinated blood transfusion services that provide equitable access to safe and quality assured blood transfusions for the whole population.
On WBDD, we urge everyone to promote a culture of regular blood donation, and increase the diversity and sustainability of the blood donor pool. Find out your blood type, register as a blood donor, donate blood and encourage your friends and family to become regular blood donors.
This WBBD, we thank and recognize the millions of voluntary blood donors who have contributed to the health and well-being of millions of people around the world. Every single blood or plasma donation is a precious lifesaving gift, and regular donations are the key to building a safe and sustainable supply. Your selfless donations have had a profound impact on the lives and well-being of hundreds of millions of people, as well as their families and communities across the world.
Saima Wazed is the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
Selecting sensors for smart crop management can maximize farmers’ benefits
Let’s consider the story of Ritu. She lives in a small village in the heart of Bangladesh. Her parents were farmers, and she had grown up helping them on their farm. As she reached her teenage years, she became increasingly curious about the world beyond her village. One day, Ritu heard about a program that was being held in a nearby town. It was about the latest advancements in technology and how it could help farmers in improving their crop production. Excited by the prospect, Ritu convinced her parents to let her attend the program.
At the program, Ritu was introduced to the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential in agriculture. She learned that with the help of sensors and other IoT devices, farmers could monitor and control various aspects of their crops, such as soil moisture, temperature, and humidity, in real-time. This could help them make better decisions and ultimately increase their yield while reducing costs. Ritu was fascinated by this technology and knew that it could greatly benefit her family and other farmers in her village. She was determined to bring this knowledge back to her community and implement it in their farming practices.
She started by talking to her parents and other farmers in the village, explaining to them the benefits of using IoT in agriculture. Then, Ritu and her fellow villagers were able to set up a smart crop management system on their fields. They used sensors to monitor the soil moisture and temperature, for fertilizer recommendation, and even a weather station to track changing weather patterns. The results were astounding. Ritu and her community were able to increase their crop production while minimizing their production costs significantly. By constantly monitoring the soil and weather conditions, they were able to make informed decisions on when to water, fertilize, and harvest their crops. This led to a more efficient use of resources and a better yield.
Word of their success quickly spread to neighboring villages, and soon Ritu found herself receiving invitations to speak at various conferences and workshops. She became a role model for young girls in her village, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and make a difference in their community.
Selecting appropriate sensors for crops is important
The selection of appropriate sensors for smart crop management in Bangladesh is not just a technical decision, but a strategic one. It's a crucial step that can significantly maximize the benefits for our farmers, especially in the face of the unique agricultural challenges we face. For decades, the agricultural sector in Bangladesh had faced numerous challenges – from unpredictable weather patterns to lack of access to technology and resources. However, the tide was beginning to turn with the emergence of smart agriculture initiatives. With the help of the government and various organizations, farmers were being introduced to innovative techniques and technologies that would significantly increase their productivity and efficiency, inspiring and motivating policymakers to continue their support. From weather forecasting apps to soil nutrient analysis tools, these initiatives were revolutionizing the way agriculture was being practiced in the country. IoT, smart sensors, and AI have great scopes for acquiring real-time data and interpreting them to monitor soil health, water contents, crop quality, and crop production on a site. IoT enabled technological approaches in agriculture also helps to assess soil health, soil erosion, need of fertilizer, status of soil fertility, and crop quality. Before choosing sensors for smart crop management, we must think of the utilization and purpose of using these sensors coupled with Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligent (AI).
Farmers need the following application areas to use sensors; Automatic Irrigation, Weather Monitoring, Insect and Pest Management, Fertilizer recommendation, Disease control, and Yield Prediction.
Considering the above requirement, the sensors coupled with IoT need to be chosen. What an ideal IoT device consists of: input/output interface for sensors, interface for connecting to internet, interface for memory and storage, interface for audio/video.
We also need to consider that IoT should couple with; wireless sensors network, cloud computing, security and communication protocols, data analysis and web services.
Advantages of agriculture sensors:
1. Sensors in agriculture were invented to meet the increasing demand for food with minimum resources such water, fertilizers and seeds.
2. They are easy to operate and use and easy to maintain.
3. Sensors are cheaper in price and best in quality.
4. They can be used for measuring pollution and global warming for their fields and crops.
5. These sensors are equipped with wireless chips so that they can be controlled remotely.
Questions farmers should ask when choosing sensors:
● Does this sensor only provide data using its display board?
● Are these sensors compatible with Bluetooth collection so that any mobile phone (devices) can be connected with a sensor to receive data?
● Are these sensors coupled with wireless connectivity so that it can directly connect with cloud?
● Are these sensors supporting independent protocol to support multi-language interface?
Kinds of sensors:
Optical sensors: Optical sensors are used in agriculture to understand the properties of the soil and crop by the analysis of the amount of reflected light on the growing parts of the crop in real-time. Also used to study crop vigor by including the biomass of the soil and nitrogen to other gasses ratio in the soil as variables. This helps farmers regulate the moisture levels in the air and soil and prevent damp conditions.
Electrochemical sensors: Mainly used to monitor the levels of phosphorous, potassium, calcium, sodium, nitrogen, copper, and iron.
Mechanical sensors: Mechanical sensors determine the force roots exert to absorb water, which is used to optimize tilling methodologies and water inflow.
Dielectric soil moisture sensors: Dielectric soil moisture sensors are used to monitor the soil's moisture levels to help optimize irrigation management methods. Water potential sensors and tensiometer sensors are the two prominently used dielectric soil moisture sensors used in precision farming.
Airflow sensors: Airflow sensors are used to record the number of gaseous substances present in the soil at a particular landscape after irrigation or to get an overview of the land to be cultivated before the seeding process. They are also used to determine the properties of the soil, its compaction, moisture-holding capacity, and more.
Location sensors: GPS-based sensors, GIS-based sensors, and manned and unmanned aerial devices like drones and satellite imagery help to analyze the land and soil composition in the cultivated region in three dimensions. Location-based sensors help farmers get greater insights into the cultivable land by increasing angles of examination of specific sections of the plot and unlocking greater value.
Acoustic sensors: Acoustic sensors determine soil texture by measuring the change in noise level caused by a tool's interaction with soil particles. However, a low signal-to-noise ratio prevented the development of this technology.
The writer is Senior Associate, Networks and Youth Engagement at Center for Research and Information. Views expressed in the article are his own.
World Environment Day: We are #GenerationRestoration
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th, after it was established at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972.
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme, it is the largest global platform for public outreach to raise awareness and taking action on urgent environmental issues – the planet’s most-pressing environmental problems.
This year, World Environment Day (WED) 2024 focuses on land restoration, halting desertification and building drought resilience under the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.”
Environmental degradation directly impacts human health. Air pollution, water contamination, and climate change contribute to a range of public health problems. WED is not just for those working in the environment sectors – it is a call to action for everyone, including all of us working in public health.
The worrying reality is that our Region records the highest number of deaths from climate change annually amongst all WHO regions. Climate change and biodiversity loss already pose major threats to health, the regional economy and livelihoods across our Region.
On WED 2024, we call for everyone to recognize the integral role of the health sector in environmental conservation and climate action. In doing so, we must strengthen collaboration between the health and environment sectors to address shared challenges. It is imperative we advocate for policies that prioritize environmental sustainability and public health, and invest in research and innovation to develop sustainable healthcare practices.
We have prioritized mitigating the impacts of air pollution and hazardous chemicals, building healthcare facilities resilience to climate change, and strengthening the focus on clean and adequate water for drinking, basic sanitation, and hygiene.
The ‘SEA Regional Plan of Action for the WHO Global Strategy on Health, Environment and Climate Change 2020–2030: Healthy Environments for Healthier Population’ clearly outlines various action points of environmental determinants of health for implementation at regional and country level.
Practical and innovative ways for the health sector to engage in land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience include:
• Integrating health impact assessments into land use planning processes. This can involve assessing the potential health impacts of proposed projects on air and water quality, food security, and exposure to hazards such as drought and desertification.
• Implementing green building practices and sustainable infrastructure in healthcare facilities, to reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to land restoration efforts. This can include incorporating green spaces into hospital designs to promote healing and well-being.
• Community-based health promotion, to empower communities taking ownership of land restoration and conservation initiatives through participatory health promotion programs.
• Build climate-resilient healthcare systems, to better withstand the impacts of climate change, including droughts and desertification. Train healthcare workers in climate adaptation and emergency response strategies.
This World Environment Day, I urge our public health community to join the efforts towards land restoration, halting desertification and building drought resilience. Let us not forget that this is our land, and our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.
Saima Wazed is the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia
BIMSTEC is poised to transform itself into a successful regional organisation
In a historic development, the BIMSTEC Charter entered into force on 20th May 2024. It was signed on 30th March 2022 by the Leaders of BIMSTEC member States in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Charter articulates the long-term vision and commitment of the BIMSTEC member States to cooperate through the BIMSTEC framework to realise a peaceful, prosperous and secure Bay of Bengal Region. The Charter establishes the legal and institutional framework for cooperation in the region; confers legal personality on the Organisation; enables admission of new members and observers; and empowers conclusion of agreements with other countries and organisations. It enables the BIMSTEC to engage with the UN and other International Organisations as well as Regional Organisations to pursue development partnerships to enhance cooperation in Bay of Bengal region to deal with the shared developmental and security-related challenges.
On 06th June 2024, BIMSTEC completes 27 years of its journey that started in Bangkok, in 1997, as “Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation” (BIST-EC) when these four countries came together to sign the Bangkok Declaration, committing to utilise the synergies in their capabilities and resources for their development. When Myanmar joined the group in 1997, BIST-EC became BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand – Economic Cooperation). Later, when Bhutan and Nepal joined in 2004, the BIMSTEC was renamed as the “Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation”.
Regional cooperation under BIMSTEC has made steady progress and has been gaining momentum. It has been anchored by the BIMSTEC Secretariat, which was established in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in September 2014 and is headed by its Secretary General. In 2018, it was decided that the vision and goals of regional cooperation under the BIMSTEC should be constitutionalised in a Charter; eventually it was signed in March 2022 and entered into force on 20th May this year.
Stepping into the 28th year of its existence, the BIMSTEC not only has a Charter and its Secretariat, but also a well-defined and comprehensive Agenda for cooperation. At the 5th Summit in March 2022, BIMSTEC Leaders had decided to reconstitute various areas of cooperation into 7 sectors with each member State taking the lead in a specific Sector: Trade, Investment and Development including Blue Economy (Bangladesh); Environment and Climate Change including Mountain Economy (Bhutan); Security including Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Disaster Management, and Energy (India); Agriculture and Food Security including Fisheries and Livestock (Myanmar); People-to-People Contact including Culture, Tourism, Poverty Alleviation, and People-to-People Contact Forums (Nepal); Science, Technology and Innovation including Health and Human Resource Development (Sri Lanka); and Connectivity (Thailand).
BIMSTEC also has a well-established institutional framework, comprising core and sectoral mechanisms, to forge regional cooperation in the above sectors. These include Meetings at the level of Senior Officials and Ministers as well as numerous Working Groups, Expert Groups and BIMSTEC Centres.
Later this year, at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled to be held in Bangkok, the Leaders are expected to adopt the ‘Bangkok Vision 2030’ aimed at achieving a ‘Prosperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC by 2030.’ This is the first time that a time-bound Vision will be adopted by the BIMSTEC Leaders, which will guide regional cooperation within the BIMSTEC framework.
Aware that the time has come to transform the BIMSTEC, the Leaders have set up an Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) and mandated it to make recommendations to reform, revitalise and repurpose BIMSTEC. The EPG is expected to submit its Report to the Leaders at their 6th Summit. Its recommendations are expected to herald a new era of regional cooperation within the BIMSTEC.
The BIMSTEC region is home to over 1.8 billion people, approximately 22% of the global population. The combined external trade of the BIMSTEC member States in 2022 amounted to USD 1.95 trillion while their combined GDP was estimated at USD 4.5 trillion. These underline the strategic significance of the Bay of Bengal region and the BIMSTEC as a regional organisation.
BIMSTEC has enjoyed the requisite political support of its members, it has focused on technical and economic cooperation and has stayed away from political issues. The UN and International Organisations as well as extra-regional countries find BIMSTEC a natural choice for partnering with it in realizing the shared goals of security and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. BIMSTEC has signed MoUs with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), while MoUs with IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association), the World Bank, UNODC (UN Office on Drugs and Crime), UNESCAP (UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) etc. are under consideration. Moreover, in the evolving global scenario, particularly in view of the stalemates in the UN and International Organisations, regional platforms, like BIMSTEC, are being seen as effective instruments for forging plurilateral cooperation amongst the countries of a region to realise their shared security and developmental goals.
All the 7 BIMSTEC member States have been committed to striving to attain the SDGs. To realise these goals, they have been committed to pursuing regional cooperation through BIMSTEC. They recognise that they share common interests and purposes and face common challenges. They have demonstrated the requisite political will to shape the BIMSTEC into an effective and efficient regional organisation to realise their vision for a secure and developed Bay of Bengal region.
Mahishini Colonne is the Director of the BIMSTEC Secretariat
Celebrating Danish Constitution Day: A Day of Reflection and Democracy
5th June marks the Danish Constitution Day, an occasion that holds profound significance in the nation’s history. This day commemorates the signing of the Danish constitution in 1849 and the adoption of the amended constitution in 1953, which together laid the foundation for modern Danish democracy.
The first Danish constitution, known as the June Constitution, was signed on June 5, 1849, by King Frederick VII. This document marked Denmark’s transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, granting significant civil liberties and establishing a parliamentary system.
The 1953 constitution further refined this framework, introducing key changes such as the creation of a unicameral parliament and the establishment of gender equality in succession to the throne.
On this day, the streets of Copenhagen and other cities across Denmark are filled with a festive spirit, as citizens gather to honor the principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights that are enshrined in the constitution. Danish flags adorn homes, public buildings, and institutions, reflecting a sense of national pride and unity.
These celebrations are marked by a theme of reflection and renewal. It is important for Danes to revisit the core values enshrined in their constitution. Discussions about climate change, social justice, and the evolving nature of democracy are at the forefront of public discourse.
As Denmark celebrates its constitution, there is a collective sense of looking forward to the future. In the words of the famous Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” And hence, Constitution Day is a time for Danes to reflect on their past achievements and to inspire future generations to carry the torch of democracy forward.
Salwa Jahan is the Head of Communications, Embassy of Denmark
On World Milk Day: Verghese Kurien and the story of Amul in India
World Milk Day has been celebrated across the world on June 1st each year since 2001. This day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN (United Nations) to help people recognize the importance of milk as a global food. The day is celebrated to raise awareness regarding the importance of the dairy sector and the activities related to it. June 1st was chosen as the date because many countries were already celebrating milk day during that time of year.
Drinking fresh milk is particularly important for children. A 250 ml glass of milk per day, can provide 48% of their daily dietary protein requirement and 9% of calories. Milk is rich in Vitamin A, B12, calcium and thiamin, riboflavin. Vitamin A contributes toward good vision, immune health and normal growth and development of body tissues. As a child growing up after World War II and during years when food rationing was in place, I received a free glass of milk per day at school.
In agricultural college education in the UK in the 1960s I specialized in animal (dairy) husbandry and when I came to India as an Oxfam volunteer based at a Gandhian Ashram in Bihar, I helped set up a dairy farm based at an agriculturally biased children’s school. I soon learnt all about the ‘Milk Capital of India’, AMUL Dairy which is situated in the town of Anand in Kaira District of Gujarat. It was established by Dr Verghese Kurien.
Originally from Kerala, Dr Kurien had been on a government scholarship in the USA to study dairy engineering and had been sent to Anand to work out his government ‘bond’. He had no intention to stay in Anand and expected to move to Mumbai where in the British era a ‘Milk Commissioner’ had been appointed to ensure a good supply of milk to the city. However, when his ‘bond’ period was over Kurien was persuaded to stay a bit longer to assist the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited (KDCMPUL). He became committed to providing the farmers with a fair price for their milk, mostly from buffaloes, and the consumers with a quality product.
Kurien wanted to give KDCMPUL a unique name which will be easily remembered and employees of KDCMPUL were asked to suggest names. One quality control supervisor came up with the name ‘Amulya’ derived from the Sanskrit meaning ‘priceless’, meaning unmatchable excellence. The name was modified to ‘Amul’ to make the union also part of this name, Anand Milk Union Limited.
After my work related to Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, I was based in New Delhi for Oxfam-UK covering the development projects in northern India including Gujarat. I made sure that I visited AMUL. I learnt that following the launching, in 1959, of FAO’s Freedom from Hunger Campaign (FFH), in 1962 Oxfam assisted in the setting up of over 1,000 committees all over the UK to raise funds. The City of Glasgow and the Clyde Valley raised nearly £150,000 and of that £108,000 was sent to AMUL to set up India’s first cattle feed processing plant. In 1964, the then Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, came to Anand to inaugurate the plant. To represent Oxfam, Bernard Llewellyn, then Oxfam’s Field Director for Asia, came from Hong Kong where he was based.
Lal Bahadur Shastri, impressed by what he saw, asked Kurien to let him stay incognito in one of the villages for the night. Kurien had a fright. How could he let the Prime Minister of India stay overnight in a village without security or any support mechanism? Shastri insisted and was taken, without his security guards, near to a village and left there for the night. He walked into the village and introduced himself as a traveler who had lost his way. A family in the village invited Shastri to stay with them. He took the opportunity to talk to them about their lives and how they had been affected by the cooperative. By the time Kurien came to pick him up the next morning, the Prime Minister was not only convinced about the Anand pattern of cooperatives but put his full weight behind Kurien to set up the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Anand to help replicate the movement across the country.
In the 1970s I was able to meet Kurien a number of times. He always pointed out that the members of the cooperatives employed him even if they did not really understand that. The members of the milk cooperatives, nearly all women, would come on annual ‘picnics’ to see the workings of the AMUL milk processing plants and he and his staff would try to convince them that they owned the huge factories processing the milk, making (in those days) butter and cheese as well. The women would be educated on their tour of AMUL about cleanliness and also about animal reproduction. They would be taken to the section dealing with artificial insemination and as a result learn the details regarding reproduction, so much so that the human birth rate dropped in Kaira District.
At that time also, Kurien wanted to experiment if he could obtain machinery which could process milk directly from grass. Under the NDDB he set up a ‘Tea Whitener Project’. He needed foreign exchange for the equipment, so Oxfam provided that and the NDDB repaid Oxfam in rupees, a transaction which was officially approved by the Ministry of Finance. He was always very successful in raising funds when necessary. Earlier, in 1969, when the NDDB was very short of funds, Kurien told the President of the World Bank who was on a trip to India to give him money with no conditions attached. Approval came through in a few days. Kurien went on to see, in 1973, the formation of a Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation as well as IRMA – Institute of Rural Management in Anand in 1979.
I hope that these few words about World Milk Day and the life and work of Dr Verghese Kurien might also inspire people in Bangladesh. Dairy husbandry in Bangladesh has made significant progress, especially in the last 30 years but there is still a very long way to go. I remember coming to Bangladesh in 1978 and finding it very difficult to find fresh liquid milk to drink. Imported tinned condensed milk was everywhere. At the beginning of AMUL it was thought that it would be very difficult to make cheese and milk powder from buffalo milk but with perseverance AMUL has made a success of it and they now produce all sorts of milk based drinks and chocolate as well. May this sort of success come to Bangladesh very soon?
Julian Francis, recognised as a Friend of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 2012, arrived in the region through Bihar in 1968, on a humanitarian mission. For the best part of the next six decades, this work would never end, and take him to various parts of India and Bangladesh. He has never left.
World No Tobacco Day: We owe our youth nothing less
In 1987, Member States of the World Health Organization designated 31 May as World No Tobacco Day. This was done to draw attention to the global tobacco epidemic, and the preventable death and disease it causes.
Every year, this day reminds us of the dangers of tobacco, and informs us about what our Organization is doing to fight this epidemic. It informs people around the world about what they can do to claim their right to health, and how to protect future generations. It also shines a light on the business practices of tobacco companies.
This year, World No Tobacco Day calls on us all to protect children from the interference of the tobacco industry. Young people across the world are calling for the tobacco industry to stop targeting them with products that are harmful to their health. They are calling on governments to adopt policies to protect them from the manipulative practices of tobacco and related industries. This includes the relentless marketing of their dangerous products through social media and streaming platforms.
The fight against tobacco is particularly important for us in South-East Asia. The tobacco industry’s targeting of youth is rampant across our Member States. As a result, we have a very worrying 11 million adolescents using various tobacco products. Coupled with the approximate 411 million adult tobacco users, our Region, unfortunately, has the highest number of adolescent and adult users globally.
The industry lures youth by aggressively introducing new nicotine and tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. These are becoming increasingly popular with the youth in our Region. It is worrying that children and adolescents are regularly exposed to the digital marketing of tobacco products. This is despite having policies and regulations in place to prevent this.
This situation is likely to get worse, as youngsters spend more time on social media and other similar platforms. Personalized and targeted advertising by the industry appears to dominate here, exposing them to harm. This multibillion-dollar industry recruits ‘new’ users to reward their investors with even more profits. To achieve this, it preys on children and adolescents through marketing tactics, targeting them with new products. The tobacco industry moves with speed to launch new products, using every means to expand market share before regulations can catch up.
They continue to oppose evidence-based measures, such as increases in excise taxes, and comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotions and sponsorships. They even threaten legal action against governments that try to protect the health of their citizens. Unfortunately, the response from governments and institutions is lagging. Our efforts are complicated by the rapid changes in the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry.
It is imperative that the relevant provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) – including Article 5.3 – are implemented in letter and spirit. Also, tools and support are urgently needed to facilitate monitoring and implementation of the WHO FCTC recommendations in ‘online’ settings.
Our goal for our youth is clear. We want to prevent and reduce tobacco consumption, nicotine addiction, and exposure to new tobacco products. To do this, we need a multistakeholder approach to frame and implement legislation, policies, regulations and administrative measures. This approach needs to cast a wide net. We should engage with all relevant government departments, UN and intergovernmental organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia, and the community, including students, teachers and parents.
A generational tobacco ban, leading to a ‘Tobacco-Free Generation’, would be a huge step forward for our Region. For this to happen, the WHO FCTC must be recognized as a legally binding international instrument by all our Member States. This ban will require effective enforcement of existing policies, including confronting tobacco industry interference and institutional corruption surrounding the illicit tobacco trade. The governments and tobacco control advocates in the Region must proactively take an evidence-based stance that pre-empts biased arguments against progressive tobacco control measures.
The opportunity to pass a generational ban must be supported with political will, clear foresight and pragmatic implementation. Only then can we realize the goal of a ‘Tobacco-Free Generation’ across our Region in the very near future. We owe our youth nothing less.
Saima Wazed is World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia
The Diplomatic Tightrope: Significance of Donald Lu’s Visit to Bangladesh
In the ever-evolving landscape of international diplomacy, the recent visit of Donald Lu, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, to Bangladesh has captured significant attention. This visit, which occurred on 14-15 May 2024, represents a critical juncture in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States. At a time marked by geopolitical tension, economic challenges, and a renewed focus on human rights, Lu’s visit underscores the complexities and opportunities inherent in this strategic partnership. It seems that the previous trust deficit has gone away.
Human rights and democratic governance are undoubtedly key topics on the US’s agenda. Bangladesh has faced criticism from international human rights organizations over issues such as media freedom, extrajudicial killings, and the treatment of political opponents. However, Donald Lu informed Salman F Rahman, the Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, that the US government would support lifting sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a statement later denied by the White House spokesperson. Interestingly, during his visit, Lu’s engagement with civil society representatives and human rights advocates highlighted the US’s strategic approach of simultaneously criticizing the government and engaging with the public.
The United States has often raised concerns about labor rights and working conditions in Bangladesh, particularly in the garment industry. Lu’s visit provided a platform to reiterate these concerns and advocate for stronger labor protections. We also want justice for the workers. Ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of worker rights is a delicate balance that both nations must navigate. We expect that the United States will extend its influence beyond mere diplomatic pressure on Bangladesh, leveraging its considerable economic clout to advocate for fair labor practices. In this endeavor, the US is expected to encourage international buyers to ensure that Bangladeshi workers receive living wages, especially critical in the face of soaring inflation.
One of the primary objectives of Lu’s visit was to bolster economic ties between the United States and Bangladesh. As Bangladesh continues its impressive economic growth, it presents a plethora of opportunities for American businesses. The country’s flourishing garment industry, which is the second largest in the world, is a key area of mutual interest. Another significant aspect of Lu’s visit was the emphasis on climate change cooperation. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, with rising sea levels and increased frequency of natural disasters posing severe threats to its population and economy. The United States has recognized the importance of collaborating with Bangladesh on climate resilience and adaptation measures. During his visit, Lu discussed potential areas of cooperation in renewable energy, disaster management, and sustainable development. The US commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s climate adaptation strategies is not only a humanitarian imperative but also a strategic one, as climate change increasingly becomes a driver of regional instability and displacement.
Lu’s visit also holds significant geopolitical implications. As Bangladesh finds itself in a strategically crucial location in South Asia, it has become a sphere of influence of major powers, notably the United States, China, and India. The US is keen on countering China’s growing influence in the region, and strengthening ties with Bangladesh is a pivotal component of this strategy.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has made substantial inroads into Bangladesh, funding critical infrastructure projects that are vital to the country’s development. The United States, through initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Strategy, seeks to offer an alternative that promotes sustainable and transparent investments. Lu’s discussions with the Bangladesh government likely emphasized the importance of diversification of economic partnerships to avoid over-reliance on any single nation.
The Daily Star reported on 14 May 2024 that Lu might underscore the importance of enhancing the strategic partnership between the United States and Bangladesh by advocating for the signing of two pivotal defense agreements: the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). These agreements are instrumental in advancing a robust and enduring security and defense relationship between the two nations. However, it seems unclear whether these issues were discussed or not.
The ACSA aims to streamline logistics cooperation, facilitating the exchange of supplies, support, and services between the US and Bangladeshi armed forces. Meanwhile, the GSOMIA focuses on safeguarding sensitive military information, ensuring that both countries can share intelligence securely and effectively. By enhancing the interoperability of defense operations and fostering greater trust, this agreement would lay the groundwork for deeper intelligence collaboration and mutual security assurances.
If the speculation proves accurate, these two agreements might jeopardize Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook. However, the likelihood of entering such agreements appears slim. In essence, while both the Indo-Pacific Outlook of Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the USA aim to promote stability and prosperity in the region, they do so from different perspectives and with distinct priorities. Bangladesh’s approach is development-centric, inclusive, and non-aligned, emphasizing economic cooperation and regional connectivity. In contrast, the US strategy is more focused on countering China’s influence, enhancing security and defense ties, and promoting democratic values. Understanding these differences is crucial for comprehending the diplomatic dynamics and potential areas of cooperation or friction in the Indo-Pacific region.
While both France and the USA share the goal of ensuring a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific region, their strategies reflect their unique geopolitical interests and historical contexts, France emphasizes multilateralism, sustainable development, and regional cooperation, aligning closely with its EU partners.
In September 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Bangladesh underscored the country’s strategic foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific. This visit signals Bangladesh’s intent to balance its relationships with major global powers while asserting its strategic autonomy. By welcoming Macron, Bangladesh subtly yet assertively conveyed its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific without entangling itself in the US-China rivalry through military agreements with Washington. Instead, Bangladesh favors multilateralism and regional cooperation, aligning with France’s inclusive strategy. This invitation to Macron highlights Bangladesh’s preference for a diversified foreign policy that prioritizes regional stability and economic growth without aligning too closely with any single power bloc. France’s approach, emphasizing multilateral engagements, sustainable development, and respect for international law, resonates with Bangladesh’s aspirations. By aligning with France’s vision, Bangladesh underscores its commitment to a diplomatic and development-oriented approach, avoiding great power competition. Additionally, Bangladesh hopes that major powers will assist in resolving the Rohingya crisis, as regional peace and stability depend on the safe return of the Rohingya.
In conclusion, the visit of Donald Lu to Bangladesh serves as a reminder of the intricate dance of diplomacy in the modern world. As a Bangladeshi, I expect the principles of mutual respect and shared interests shall be prioritized. The US should not impose its interests on Bangladesh and it should not act as a Big Brother.