Professor Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen
Former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh
During the Cold War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower in order to contain the spread of communism of the USSR in the Middle East and South Asia, pursued the Cento and SEATO agreements. During the time, the Awami League leader Huseyan Shaheed Suhrawardhy, the mentor of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of independent Bangladesh, was the Prime Minister of Pakistan (1956-57) and he joined both the Cento and SEATO blocks. These were defense pacts. The Awami League party continued to support the US position for years and therefore, AL was criticised as a pro-American party. AL never betrayed the Americans.
But during the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971, the Nixon administration supported Pakistan as it was arranging meetings between the US and the Chinese heads of governments.
Pakistan’s President General Aga Mohammed Yahya Khan was the “go-between” the US Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger’s repeated secret visits to Peking known as “Ping Pong Diplomacy”. Since Gen. Yahya was helping Henry Kissinger, therefore, the Nixon-Kissinger administration ignored Pakistan’s atrocities in its eastern wing, East Pakistan and in fact, armed Gen. Yahya to commit genocide in its East Pakistan. In his well documented book titled “Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger and a Forgotten Genocide” Professor Gary Bass of the Princeton University exposed how the Nixon-Kissinger administration violated both national and international laws to support Pakistan.
However, after nine months of war, East Pakistan became an independent and sovereign state known as Bangladesh. Bangladesh won the war after sacrificing 3 million lives. In addition, 200,000 women sacrificed their honor and 10 million people had to take shelter in neighboring India. East Pakistan’s half of the population were dislodged and displaced during the war and its economy was devastated.
US government recognized Bangladesh and supported its UN membership
Once Bangladesh became a reality, the US government recognized it and it also steadily supported its membership to the UN General Assembly. The Bangladesh founder President and Prime Minister, the AL leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called on to the US President Gerard Ford in 1974 and solicited his help and support although the US opposed the independence of Bangladesh. The good news is, although the Nixon-Kissinger administration was opposed to Bangladesh independence, but the US lawmakers, doctors, professors, diplomats, musicians, and other intellectuals strongly supported the cause of Bangladesh.
On 15 August 1975, Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all his family members were mercilessly killed by a few disgruntled army officers. Two of his daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehena escaped deaths as they were abroad at the time. As USA is said to be involved in regime change like Iran and Chile, many believed that USA had a role in the death of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.
Prior to that massacre, when newly independent Bangladesh was facing a severe flood and famine conditions in 1974, the Nixon administration abruptly cancelled and diverted its scheduled food supply under PL-480 on flimsy grounds. And Kissinger termed Bangladesh as a “bottomless basket with no hope of survival “. However, after years of famine, Bangladesh now become a vibrant economy and a ‘land of opportunity’ under AL leadership.
US Strategy: IPS (Quad) and IPEF
As China is becoming a global power due to its economic growth, the US wanted to contain the rise of China, and therefore, it is promoting Quad and IPEF in the Asia-Pacific region. The AL government of Bangladesh has no objection to join IPEF but as regards, Quad, the AL regime’s priority was to provide two meals a day to its 170+ million people first before joining any defense pact. Nevertheless, it like Quad, Bangladesh is committed to a free, open, peaceful, rules-based, and inclusive navigation in the Asia Pacific region for the wellbeing of all. Secondly, when the AL government was approached to join BRICS, it did not join. Instead it was evaluating its pros and cons.
Third, as per media reports, when the Americans wanted to have its St. Martin island in order to contain and monitor China, Bangladesh asked them to submit a formal proposal specifying their plans which the US never did.
As Americans stopped providing financial assistance to Bangladesh that it desperately needs to build its infrastructure, Bangladesh joined China’s Belt & Road initiative (BRI). Unlike USA, China came up with a basket of funds. As Bangladesh was prudent in accepting any foreign loans, it did not borrow much loans. It signed a package of nearly $37 billion loans+grants with China during President Xi’s visit to Bangladesh in 2016, however, it actually accepted only around $5+ billion. The critics of the past government started a smear campaign stating that Bangladesh could be in Chinese “debt-trap” just like that of Sri Lanka although there was no possibility of it. As per IMF, a country could be in a debt-trap if the borrowings from that country is over 55% of its national GDP. Bangladesh’s debt was only around 16% of its GDP and that of Chinese debt was around 1% of its GDP of $478 billion.
As the Chinese contractors were more competitive vis-a-vis that of USA or India, Bangladesh engaged a few Chinese companies to build its infrastructure. For example, Padma Bridge Railway link. But both USA and India were upset at it. This created distance and distrust.
When BNP’s Khaleda Zia was Prime Minister, her government started procuring defense equipment from China as their’s were competitive. The AL government followed it. In 2016, the USA government requested Bangladesh to procure modern weapons from the US including fighter jets. Since the government’s priority was (1) a hunger-free Bangladesh by 2030, (2) a smart digital prosperous Bangladesh by 2041, (3) people’s welfare: providing funds to disabled, unemployed, widowers, etc, plus (5) building modern infrastructure development, it was less enthusiastic to buy sophisticated weapons at exorbitant prices. The US argued that since the country is developing fast, it needs state-of-the art weapons including fighter jets to protect it from enemies. Bangladesh argued that it had no foreign enemies. Such created some discomfort.
Political Scenario in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the second largest party is BNP with around 30% support. Its leadership is basically pro-Chinese. When they were in power they developed good relationship with China away from India. The other larger parties are (3) Jamatee-e-Islam with 8% support, (4) Jatiyo Party (JP) with 2% support and (5) newly created NCP, known as king’s Party created by Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammed Yunus with no followers. Most of its members once belonged to Chatra Sibir, a radical youth group of the Jamaatee Islam. Chatra Sibir was identified as a ‘terrorist organization’ by the US government.
Jamatee-e-Islam is an Islamist party that aims to establish Sharia Laws and they wish the destruction of the Western hegemony especially the USA. Can NCP be trusted as its leaders are highly greedy with no commitment? .They may switch their allegiance at any time. Moreover, since they have no public support yet, they are shaky and not sustainable. Money and time spent on NCP and BNP could end up in futility.
Naturally among all the political parties, the most trusted partner could be the Awami League (AL) Party. AL party has between 40% and 45% support and since the performance of the Yunus interim government is dismal, AL’s popularity is shooting up. Although a few US administrations were unkind to them, yet they have been favorably disposed toward the USA as their basic principles and values are similar.
The AL party ruled the country with credits for a period of 21 years. It has its omissions and commissions. After its debacle in August 2024, it realized its mistakes and now it is reorganizing and trying to go back to its basics; trying to start afresh. They are willing to reckon, reconcile and reform the Party. They are committed to democracy to its full extent and willing to enact laws to make the Democratic Institutions independent and free from government influences. They would ensure rule of law, due process and human rights. Moreover, as Secularism is their basic pillar of ideology, they take effective measures to defeat radicalism and terrorism.
Given the scenario, it would be prudent for the US government and the EU to develop good relationships with the AL party if they are interested for a long term strong and strategic partnership in South Asia. Any agreement with the AL party is likely to be sustainable and solid.
USA and EU believe in democracy and people’s participation in elections, and therefore, they should ensure a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Bangladesh guaranteeing level playing fields.
To achieve sustainable peace in the Asia-Pacific region and to promote US’s long term interests, it may be time for the USA to ensure participation of all parties in the upcoming elections in Bangladesh. More importantly, the USA may start negotiations with the AL party, the largest and oldest political party of Bangladesh that believes in individual liberty, freedom of speech, equality, democracy, justice and religious freedom and opportunity for all as inalienable rights.
