January 6, 2010

Inside

 

Good dwarfs bad--Shakhawat Liton

No letup in price spike--Rejaul Karim Byron

High on plans, low on implementation
--
Sharier Khan

One hurrah from upazila polls --Shakhawat Liton & Hasan Jahid Tusher

Promises not kept--Shariful Islam

Health sector gets out of sickbed--Mahbuba Zannat

Terror being tackled with 'iron hand’--Julfikar Ali Manik & Shariful Islam

Govt smartly pursuing thaw in thorny ties
--Rezaul Karim

Steps left a lot to be desired -- Tawfique Ali
One year on, Government in spotlight
Manpower stays out in the cold-- Porimol Palma
Anti-graft body hamstrung--Emran Hossain

Economy survives recession scare-- Rejaul Karim Byron


More said than done
-
-MD Hasan

Judiciary separated but not free yet
--Ashutosh Sarkar


Worst averted, politically
--Julfikar Ali Manik

Farmers make govt smile--Reaz Ahmad

Save river vow awaits result--Pinaki Roy

Education with vision--Wasim Bin Habib




 

 

Govt smartly pursuing thaw in thorny ties
Moves to win over traditionally AL-frosty countries
like China, Saudi Arabia

Rezaul Karim

Dipu Moni...getting steadier from an unsteady start

Since assuming power, the Awami League government has been working hard to establish stronger relations with the USA, China, India and Saudi Arabia.

Amid active networking, the government has become closer to both the USA and India. A number of constructive deals will be signed with India in January. The Obama administration has expressed support for this government in different international forums, most recently at the Copenhagen summit.

The ruling party has given substance to the traditional policy of "Friendship with all and malice towards none," which is serving as the basis of its diplomatic efforts to become closer to the countries that did not seem to be close to the AL.

Relations with influential Middle Eastern countries remained steady. Sheikh Hasina's visit to Saudi Arabia--her first foreign trip after taking office--was seen as a good beginning. As well as performing Omrah, Hasina held a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.

Bangladesh has extensive relations with India, particularly in relation to trade, economic cooperation, water sharing, border demarcation, enclaves, adversely possessed lands, maritime boundaries and security cooperation, especially in terms of fighting cross border crimes.

Relations with India are often affected by varying political complexion of the two countries. But with the installation of AL and the Congress led United Progressive Alliance governments, both countries have advanced a lot and shown some progress on many issues.

Both countries held extensive discussions at the highest levels, including foreign ministers, foreign secretaries and home secretaries levels. The joint statements issued after these talks were marked by warmth and cordiality and a commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.

India has made it clear that it attaches the highest priority to relations with Bangladesh.

Different joint working groups including joint rivers commission (JRC) resumed meetings and initiated dialogue to resolve long-standing problems including removal of trade gap, sharing of water of common rivers, border delimitation, solution at enclaves at adverse possessions.

Regarding security concerns, there has recently been a dramatic shift of policy against harbouring insurgents or terrorists. India has expressed satisfaction, as Bangladesh is generally committed to preventing insurgency or terrorism in its territory against India. India has likewise committed to refuse to give shelter to any wanted Bangladeshis.

Bangladesh and India concluded three agreements at foreign minister level meetings in New Delhi on September 10. The issues include mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons and combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.

The deals are due to be signed during Sheikh Hasina's visit to India beginning January 10. Besides, two or three more agreements including one in power sector will be inked during the visit.

Despite strong opposition and criticism, Bangladesh is positively moving towards transit through Bangladesh. India has already agreed to give Bangladesh transit to Nepal and Bhutan through Indian territory. There is an indication that a motor vehicle agreement will be signed during Hasina's visit to India.

Lately there has been a good progress in the JRC. It has already held expert level meeting in the first week of December and secretary level talks are set to begin on January 3. Ministerial level meeting of JRC may be held just ahead of the prime minister's visit to India. Officials indicated that there may be another deal on Teesta water sharing during the PM's visit.

The government has also prioritised its policy to strengthen relations with other neighbouring countries--Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan--and regional countries including the member countries of Saarc, Bimstec and D-8.

Moreover, the AL government has made a vigorous move to strengthen relations with other countries including EU, Japan and South Korea, Russia, China and Asean states.

The AL in its election manifesto ahead of December 29, 2008 general polls pledged to advance with the "Charter for Change". There is a significant indication of improvement of relations with USA and India due to efforts by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.

Both USA and India brought Bangladesh into their confidence, which may have positive impacts on Bangladesh's position in the global comity that could lead to establish relations with other countries.

Relationship with China
China features prominently in the foreign policy priorities of the AL government. Bangladesh has extensive economic cooperation with China in terms of infrastructure development, power generation, agricultural cooperation and human resources development.

The government policymakers are confident about developing even stronger relations with China. They said the Sino-Bangladesh relations would start breaking new ground soon as the dialogue has already started at the higher levels of the two countries.

A high-powered delegation led by AL General Secretary and LGRD & Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam visited China in December and held meetings with top ranking Chinese leaders. A visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may break new ground in improving relations with China.

Pending issues and challenges ahead
Although Bangladesh has access to the Bay of Bengal, delimitation of maritime boundary with India and Myanmar remains pending. Bangladesh has opted for international arbitration. Bangladesh's foreign policy efforts will now be focused towards securing its rights to the resources of the continental shelf adjacent to Bangladesh's coast based on the principle of equity.

Acute population pressure and limited physical resources make it extremely difficult for policy makers to adopt plans and actions to improve living standards. The foreign policy of Bangladesh fully internalises these challenges. Major areas of government work therefore include international trade, overseas employment, foreign direct investment and overseas development assistance.

Relations with Myanmar are highly important because it is the only other country that has border with Bangladesh. Relations have been strained for several years over the issues of repatriating 29,000 Rohingya refugees and maritime boundaries. Though Bangladesh has long been trying to develop relations with Myanmar through establishing communications links, the military junta does not frequently shift its position.

Bangladesh has excellent relations with all South East Asian countries, particularly with Malaysia where hundreds of thousands of workers are employed. But Malaysia has stopped fresh recruitments from Bangladesh and continued to deport workers. This situation also occurred during the previous regime of AL.

The AL foreign policy places special emphasis on Bangladeshis working abroad. It has taken measures to maintain existing labour markets and exploring new ones for the huge work force. Special efforts have been made for improved relations with the gulf states of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.

Foreign ministry officials said these countries are an integral part of AL government's foreign policy priorities. More than two million Bangladeshi nationals are now working in Saudi Arabia.





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