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"China’s growing influence is forcing India and Bangladesh to establish an increasingly transactional relationship" ... Relations strong but "going through an adjustment phase."
I comment for this report @NayanimaBasu.
A short thread below on
1/9 https://theprint.in/diplomacy/china-takes-bangladesh-into-its-embrace-now-as-delhi-dhaka-ties-go-downhill/471769/
I comment for this report @NayanimaBasu.
A short thread below on
1/9 https://theprint.in/diplomacy/china-takes-bangladesh-into-its-embrace-now-as-delhi-dhaka-ties-go-downhill/471769/
No South Asian country has played the balancing game between India and China [and US, Japan, EU etc] better than Bangladesh to reap maximum developmental benefits in the form of preferential trade, economic assistance, foreign investments.
Dhaka's success deserves + study. 2/9
Dhaka's success deserves + study. 2/9
China was always in Bangladesh, incl in defence sector, but India’s sensitivity increased since Ladakh standoff. Delhi pushing Dhaka to reduce its relations with China. Dhaka pushing back to ensure max benefits from China without upsetting India. 3/9 https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/41935-decoding-china-bangladesh-relationship/
For the time being this remains a signaling game and India-Bangladesh relations mostly unaffected.
But beyond slogans of Neighbourhood First (Delhi) or India First (Dhaka), China’s growing influence is forcing India and Bangladesh to establish + transactional relations. 4/9
But beyond slogans of Neighbourhood First (Delhi) or India First (Dhaka), China’s growing influence is forcing India and Bangladesh to establish + transactional relations. 4/9
Delhi and Dhaka are now going through an adjustment phase, leveraging different cards to increase their bargaining power:
for ex, India will stress security concerns about China; Bangladesh may invoke domestic pressures about Kashmir, Ayodhya, CAA. 5/9 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/caa-nrc-internal-matters-of-india-bangladesh-pm/articleshow/73374451.cms
for ex, India will stress security concerns about China; Bangladesh may invoke domestic pressures about Kashmir, Ayodhya, CAA. 5/9 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/caa-nrc-internal-matters-of-india-bangladesh-pm/articleshow/73374451.cms
What matters most for India, however, is delivering more, better and faster support to Bangladesh’s development priorities.
The successes on rail, road and shipping connectivity in recent weeks show that India remains focused
[$10 b LoCs acc to MEA] 6/9 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-ramps-up-rail-cooperation-with-dhaka/articleshow/77186238.cms
The successes on rail, road and shipping connectivity in recent weeks show that India remains focused
[$10 b LoCs acc to MEA] 6/9 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-ramps-up-rail-cooperation-with-dhaka/articleshow/77186238.cms
PM Hasina remains politically committed and deeply invested in greater inter-dependence with India, not without domestic cost:
offering unprecedented transit rights to India’s Northeast + sourcing a coastal surveillance radar system from India. 7/9 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-bangladesh-sign-mou-to-set-up-a-coastal-surveillance-system-radar-in-bangladesh/articleshow/71457316.cms
offering unprecedented transit rights to India’s Northeast + sourcing a coastal surveillance radar system from India. 7/9 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-bangladesh-sign-mou-to-set-up-a-coastal-surveillance-system-radar-in-bangladesh/articleshow/71457316.cms
This does not mean that there are many demands, concerns on both sides on range of issues.
Reports by Shishir Gupta + S. Bhaumik for ex suggest that Bangladesh Border Guards did not do enough to stop Chinese weapons to Rakhine via Chittagong, India. 8/9 https://theeasternlink.com/arakan-army-gets-chinese-weapons-through-bangladesh/
Reports by Shishir Gupta + S. Bhaumik for ex suggest that Bangladesh Border Guards did not do enough to stop Chinese weapons to Rakhine via Chittagong, India. 8/9 https://theeasternlink.com/arakan-army-gets-chinese-weapons-through-bangladesh/
All this probably resulting in tough discussions, negotiations behind the scenes, incl tactical tensions, bargaining, pressure, signalling via statements etc.
But I don't see any evidence (so far) that this has fundamentally eroded political trust and bilateral relations. 9/9
But I don't see any evidence (so far) that this has fundamentally eroded political trust and bilateral relations. 9/9
