Foreign-Affairs
Want security in the region but no defence pact: Momen on Indo-Pacific Strategy
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the goals set out for the Indo-Pacific region are not much different from Bangladesh’s, but the only concern is about its defence aspect, if any.
“Only thing we are afraid of — if it is designed for a defence pact, because we are a peace-loving country. We don’t have any intention (to fight against anyone). We would like to see development in the whole region. We want security (in the region) but no defence pact,” he said.
Momen made the remarks while responding to a question during a conversation on economic diplomacy with a focus on growth and development.
The Onero Institute partnered with the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center for the session held at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University this week.
Read more: US urged to create “safe protection zone” in Myanmar to facilitate Rohingya repatriation
The dialogue was moderated by the senior director of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, Irfan Nooruddin.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh does not have any disagreements on the issue and it also wants open, free, secure and freely navigable Indo-Pacific under the international laws.
He said Bangladesh wants economic development in the whole Indo-Pacific region and finds many things in common with the goals set up. “We don’t have much difference. We believe the next century is for Asia and the Indo-Pacific provides an opportunity and potential.”
Responding to a question on India-US-China, Momen said the US and China have their own tensions. “The US is our old friend while we have rock-solid relations with India. China became our development partner as they have money,” he said.
Read more: Digital Security Act not for restricting media freedom, Momen tells US
He said the western countries including the US “do not come up with money but they come up with advice except for some exceptions.”
“We are very prudent in accepting loans from China. We signed agreements on a big amount but we took a very small amount. It can’t influence our policies,” Momen said while responding to another question.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh is a “hub of connectivity” and maintains very good relations with all its neighbours.
“We have resolved all critical issues with India peacefully through dialogue and discussion,” he said.
Read More: Due to BGB initiative, after 4 decades Bangladesh gets back 1 acre of disputed land on Naogaon border
“Though Myanmar is a difficult case, we don’t have any quarrel with them. We have only one difficult problem (Rohingyas),” Momen added.
He highlighted issues related to emerging Bangladesh, its socioeconomic achievements, economic partnership and prospects with the USA, economic and public diplomacy, regional development and navigating relations with major powers.
Due to BGB initiative, after 4 decades Bangladesh gets back 1 acre of disputed land on Naogaon border
After four decades, Bangladesh got back about one acre of disputed land on Naogaon border, thanks to the initiative of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has been obstructing Bangladeshi farmers since 1977 from cultivating around one acre of land — located at Ramchandrapur under Dhamoirhat upazila of Naogaon district, inside Bangladesh territory, some 100 yards from border pillar 257/20-R.
The disputed area is under the jurisdiction of Agradigun BOP of BGB Patnitala Battalion (14 BGB).
Read more: Sheikh Hasina govt working to take Bangladesh-India connectivity to pre-1965 level: Shahriar Alam
A flag meeting was held between BGB and BSF at the battalion commander level on the call of Patnitala Battalion (14 BGB) near border pillar 257/20-R from 11 am to 1:15 pm (Bangladesh time) today.
At the flag meeting, Patnitala Battalion (14 BGB) Commanding Officer Lt. Col Md. Hamid Uddin led an 8-member BGB member delegation, while Commandant of India's Patiram battalion (164 BSF Battalion) Sanjay Kumar Mishra led a 6-member BSF delegation.
Sheikh Hasina govt working to take Bangladesh-India connectivity to pre-1965 level: Shahriar Alam
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has said the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to take Bangladesh-India connectivity to the pre-1965 level for shared prosperity of the region.
The state minister had a meeting today with Chief Minister of Tripura, Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, in Agartala.
Shahriar Alam requested the Tripura chief minister to name a road after Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and sought his support in constructing a ‘Shaheed Minar’ in Agartala.
The state minster congratulated Saha on his recent assumption of the office of the Chief Minister of Tripura.
He paid tribute to the people of Tripura for opening their homes and hearts to the people of Bangladesh during the Liberation War in 1971.
Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relation that exists between Bangladesh and India.
They discussed issues of mutual interests and concerns and agreed to promote close collaboration for augmenting the trade relations between Bangladesh and northeast India, particularly Tripura, and people-to-people contact.
The state minister invited the Tripura chief minister to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
Saha requested expediting implementation of the ongoing connectivity initiatives, particularly between Bangladesh and Tripura. He expressed his willingness to visit Bangladesh.
Nahim Razzaq, MP and Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, and Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commissioner in Agartala accompanied the state minister during the meeting.
Earlier, the state minister visited the Tripura State Museum (Ujjayanta Palace) in Agartala. Shahriar Alam left Agartala for Dhaka after meeting the chief minister.
US urged to create “safe protection zone” in Myanmar to facilitate Rohingya repatriation
Bangladesh has urged the USA to create a “safe protection zone” in Myanmar so that the Rohingyas can return to their homeland safely.
“We discussed with them (USA) for a durable solution (to the Rohingya crisis). We said our priority is their (Rohingyas) repatriation," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters in Washington.
He said the US side mentioned that the situation in Myanmar is not conducive now for the repatriation.
“We said once they (Rohingyas) go there (Myanmar), they will find the environment conducive. You (US) create a safe protection zone. The Rohingyas need to build their own future in their own country,” Momen said.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the US Department of State in Washington DC on Monday.
In the meeting, the Foreign Minister thanked the US government for their continued humanitarian support for the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh.
He stressed the need for sustained international pressure on Myanmar to create an environment for voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Secretary Blinken highly praised Bangladesh for generously hosting over one million Rohingyas and assured to continue work towards repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The Secretary thanked Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees and highlighted the nearly $2.1 billion in U.S. humanitarian assistance since 2017, which includes $23.8 million in new assistance to the World Food Programme to deliver urgent food and nutrition services to Rohingya refugees.
Digital Security Act not for restricting media freedom, Momen tells US
Bangladesh has conveyed to the USA that the Digital Security Act (DSA) is not meant for restricting the freedom of press, noting that the government believes in freedom of press.
“We said we enacted the Digital Security Act, but it is not to curb the freedom of press. Awami League believes in freedom of press,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said to the US side during his meeting with the United States’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC.
Momen mentioned the presence of a huge number of newspapers and private television channels which he described as “hyperactive”.
At the meeting, Secretary of State Blinken expressed concerns about “violence against and intimidation of the media and civil society,” including under the Digital Security Act, according to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.
Apprising the US Secretary of State on the ongoing and completed works in labour sector reforms in Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Momen hoped that these efforts would be duly acknowledged and appreciated through stronger economic partnership between the two countries.
Bangladesh attaches high priority on relations with Sri Lanka: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka can greatly enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of investment, agriculture, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, maritime connectivity and higher education.
She said this when outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner Prof. Sudharshan D.S. Seneviraine made a farewell call on her at her official residence Ganobhaban, according to PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim.
The prime minister said that Bangladesh attaches high priority to its relations with the neighbours particularly with Sri Lanka which are based on historical bonds and multitude of commonalities.
She said that Bangladesh emphasises on maintaining good relations with the neighbours, including Sri Lanka.
Hasina said that 90 percent of the development programmes of Bangladesh are funded from domestic resources.
She mentioned that the development pace in the country was hampered by Covid-19 pandemic.
“Bangladesh is working hard to recover from this setback.” The spokesperson quoted the PM as saying.
He congratulated the high commissioner on his successful completion of his tour of duty in Bangladesh.
The outgoing Sri Lankan envoy highly appreciated the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of PM Hasina.
He said that the implementation of mega projects like Padma Bridge, Matarbai and Payra coal-fired plants will help Bangladesh become a hub of regional connectivity.
“Both put emphasis on blue economy,” Karim said.
The Sri Lankan high commissioner said that his country is keen to cooperate with Bangladesh in trade, tourism, deep seaport and pharmaceutical sectors.
He praised Bangladesh’s success in maintaining balance in its foreign policy.
Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the meeting.
Shahriar Alam bats for regional connectivity at India-Japan conclave in Agartala
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has emphasized on deepening relations in the region for shared prosperity through regional connectivity where the Bay of Bengal is the common strategic interlocutor.
He was speaking at the ‘Third India-Japan Intellectual Conclave’, held at Agartala jointly organized by Assam-based influential think tank Asian Confluence, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Bangladesh Mission in Agartala and the Embassy of Japan in India.
The State Minister gratefully recalled the crucial role played by India particularly the people of Tripura during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 that Bangladesh waged under the leadership of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Shahriar Alam highlighted the transformative changes in the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and India in the recent years under the leadership of Prime Miniser Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always advocated regional and sub-regional cooperation.
With its advantageous geographic location between South and South East Asia, and the Bay of Bengal to the south, Bangladesh was working to establish itself as the regional hub of connectivity.
He said that implementation of the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity would be instrumental for further economic development in the region.
Pranay Verma highlights “deep bonds of friendship, cooperation” with Bangladesh
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Tuesday underlined the “deep bonds of friendship and cooperation” between Bangladesh and India; and reaffirmed commitment to further enrich the “special and multifaceted” ties, which are rooted in shared sacrifices of 1971.
High Commissioner Verma highlighted the significance of Iftar in promoting the spirit of humanity and brotherhood.
He noted that the Iftar gathering also symbolized the deep bonds of people-to-people ties that form the bedrock of India-Bangladesh relations.
The High Commissioner was speaking at an iftar event hosted by the High Commission at a city hotel.
The event was attended by guests from all walks of life in Bangladesh including the government, legislature, political parties, armed forces, civil society, business, academia, media and culture.
PM Hasina to visit Japan on April 25-28
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be on an official visit to Japan from April 25 to 28, at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
A number of memorandums of cooperation are expected to be signed during the PM's official visit.
Both the governments of Bangladesh and Japan hope that this visit will further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.
Japan wants to elevate the bilateral ties with Bangladesh to a "strategic" level, adding more elements like defence and security areas to the growing relations.
Read: 5th Japan-Bangladesh Public-Pvt Joint Economic Dialogue held online with calls for more investment
The two countries now have a comprehensive partnership and Japan intends to elevate it.
This will be the sixth visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan.
Earlier, she visited Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019.
During her stay in Japan, the Prime Minister will be received by the Emperor of Japan.
Prime Minister Fumio will hold a summit meeting with the Bangladesh Prime Minister and then host a working dinner in her honour.
Read: Bangladesh to play vital role in Japan's vision for Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Ambassador
During the visit, the PM is scheduled to attend an investment summit and a community reception along with a few bilateral meetings.
She will also hand over the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” to a few Japanese nationals, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Prime Minister is likely to visit the US and UK after wrapping up her Japan visit but there is no official announcement yet regarding the US and UK visits.
The Prime Minister has been invited to attend the coronation of UK's King Charles III, to be hosted by the Buckingham Palace on May 6.
Read More: Pranay Verma highlights “deep bonds of friendship, cooperation” with Bangladesh
She is likely to travel to Washington DC to attend a programme on May 1 to celebrate 50 years of partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank.
Not endorsing one political party vs another in Bangladesh: US State Dept says
While reiterating that any abuser of human rights should be held accountable, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department of State Vedant Patel has said, “Broadly, the U.S. supports the principle of free and fair elections in Bangladesh and around the world, but I’m not here to endorse one political candidate or party versus another.”
He was speaking at a regular briefing in Washington.
"It’s our immense hope that the Bangladesh Government does look into the contents of this article and video (DW documentary on RAB)," Patel said.
He said as per their assessment, the Digital Security Act is "one of the world’s most draconian laws" for journalists.
Read: US State Department ‘deeply concerned over use of Digital Security Act’
World Press Freedom Index ranked Bangladesh 162 out of 180 countries, a drop of 10 places from the previous year, Patel said.
"And we have made our concerns about this law quite clear. A free press and an informed citizenry are key for any nation and its democratic future," he said.
The US Embassy in Dhaka shared updates on the briefing today.
Read: PM Hasina to visit Japan on April 25-28
Petal said they want to and are looking forward to deepening their relationship with Bangladesh.
That’s why, he said, Secretary Blinken met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
"We, again, are looking forward to deepening our relationship with Bangladesh as a whole," he added.
Read more; Pranay Verma highlights “deep bonds of friendship, cooperation” with Bangladesh