Geopolitical Importance Of Bangladesh For

This Region
Introduction
Bangladesh a country of South ASIA independent in 1971 from Pakistan through a bloody
war. More than 30 lacks people are killed in this war. The land of Bangladesh is more fertile
than any other country of the world, the availability of fresh water is very high, so, its make
the country unique. There have also many reason that makes the country important in this
region.
As Bangladesh marks the 50th anniversary of its declaration of independence from Pakistan,
there is widespread admiration for its remarkably successful economic and social
transformation. Less noted are the profound geopolitical consequences of Bangladesh’s
economic rise, including a shift in South Asia’s center of economic gravity to the east and the
reintegration of an eastern subcontinent that was once divided by animosities and barely
penetrable borders. Today, Bangladesh is on the cusp of a second liberation—one that would
end its relative isolation and allow Dhaka to play a stronger role in the region and beyond,
seeking new maritime possibilities in the Indo-Pacific.
The population of the country is 163 million which is 8th largest population in world. From
ancient time large number of people live here because the livelihood is easy to get here. I will
discus about the geopolitical importance of Bangladesh for this region.

What is Geopolitical Means:

The word geopolitics was originally coined by the Swedish political scientist Rudolf
Kjellén about the turn of the 20th century, and its use spread throughout Europe in the period
between World Wars I and II (1918–39) and came into worldwide use during the latter.
It means politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
According to Christopher Gogwilt and other researchers, the term is currently being used to
describe a broad spectrum of concepts, in a general sense used as "a synonym for
international political relations", but more specifically "to imply the global structure of such
relations"; this usage builds on an "early-twentieth-century term for
a pseudoscience of political geography" and other pseudoscientific theories
of historical and geographic determinism.

The location of Bangladesh:

Before start the discussion first we need to see the location of Bangladesh in world map and
the south Asian region map where Bangladesh is located.
Fig: Location of Bangladesh in world map. BANGLADESH

Fig: The South Asian Map.

Bangladesh is with an area of 147,570 square km. The country is bordered by
India on the east, west, and north and by the Bay of Bengal on the south. There
is also a small strip of frontier with Burma on the south-eastern edge. The land
is a deltaic plain with a network of numerous rivers and canals. Through
Myanmar, Bangladesh is associated with the entire Southeast Asian region.
China is not very far off. Geographically The People's Republic of China is a
very close neighbour of Bangladesh with only 100 km of Indian territory
between their borders. Though Bangladesh does not have a common border
with Nepal and Bhutan, both are very close neighbours separated from the
northern border of Bangladesh by 22 km and 30 km of Indian Territory
respectively. Though in the south she has her own outlet to sea, the funnel-like
shape of the Bay of Bengal puts her in conflict with both India and Myanmar in
determining the sea border.
Neighbours of Bangladesh:
India and Myanmar are the immediate neighbours of Bangladesh with common
borders. The land border with Myanmar is about 243 kilometres while that of
India extended over 4,025 kilometres. Thus, in terms of peace along the
extensive border and overall national security, the quality of relations with India
is of crucial importance to Bangladesh. The near neighbours of Bangladesh are
though, without common borders, the nearest are Nepal (22km), Bhutan
(distance 22km), and China (distance 100km). Among the neighbours of
Bangladesh, there are three countries with nuclear power.
Geopolitical Weakness And Its Impacts
Truly, Bangladesh is clearly locked by India both in land and water except a
little border with Myanmar. Geopolitics may be a disadvantage when a country
is landlocked or shares common border mostly with one country. Also, the
security consideration of a country is greatly dictated by geographical location.
Bangladesh nearness of border with India may appear as a weakness in her
defence against any future military conflict with India. Common sharing of
rivers also appears as a weakness for Bangladesh because the flow of water
which depends on the source of the rivers. Due to its almost flat topography,
Bangladesh also has the natural strategic defense that can be a barrier for the
external attackers. The flow of 54 common rivers from India into Bangladesh
territory creates yet another weakness to Bangladesh. Construction of Farakka
barrage and the possibility of constructing more other barrages also appeared as
a weakness given by the nature of Bangladesh which we are considering as a
geopolitical disadvantage to Bangladesh. Shiligori corridor between Bangladesh
and both Nepal, Bhutan which also appears as a weakness to Bangladesh, as it
could have brought a more advantageous position if it were Bangladesh part.
This small land separates Bangladesh from linking Nepal and Bhutan. If
Bangladesh had linkage with Nepal or Bhutan, it could have made easier
linkage to China which could have been strengths in bargaining to formulate
Bangladesh's foreign policy. Since independence, Bangladesh is being used as a
transit route by rail and inland waterways between India's two parts. It gives
India benefits in terms of quick movements of goods and less freight cost. For
what we see, India's great interest is to take corridor facilities through land roads
and using Chittagong port. For the foreign policy decision makers of
Bangladesh, this transit facilities more correctly corridor as India proposed has
been an important factor to bargain and to mitigate other problems like water
dispute, border dispute, sea border dispute with India.
Geopolitical Strength And Its Impacts
Though Bangladesh is a small country and almost locked by India, its
geopolitical location gives it some strength in this interdependent world which
is prone to be multipolar. Bangladesh is being significant geopolitically where
we can categorize some of the important causes.
Asian Highway
For the fulfillment of Asian highway, Bangladesh plays a significant part as it
links India with south eastern countries through the easier low-cost way.
Though Bangladesh yet hasn't linked with the Asian high way because of
disagreement with India one another's proposal still Bangladesh remains as not
to be avoided. Present govt. understand the importance of road connectivity
with Asian others country. It will help country to achieve the goal SDG goal.
Already Bangladesh has started the infrastructure development work.

Fig: Some ongoing infrastructure work for Asian highway in Bangladesh.

Transit Way
First of all geopolitical location of Bangladesh appeared for itself in some cases has been
disadvantages as so it has been very disadvantageous to India also. To communicate with the
north western part India has the only and small corridor which is still gory between
Bangladesh and India. In case of any dispute or war with China, India's north western part
becomes very much vulnerable to be separated. What we observed in the Sino-India war of
1962 on border dispute. Since independence, Bangladesh is being used as a transit route by
rail and inland waterways between India's two parts. It gives India benefits in terms of quick
movements of goods and less freight cost. For what we see, India's great interest to take
corridor facilities through land roads and using Chittagong port. For the foreign policy
decision makers of Bangladesh, this transit facilities more correctly corridor as India
proposed has been an important factor to bargain and to mitigate other problems like water
dispute, border dispute, sea border dispute with India.
Geopolitical Importance of Bangladesh for other Countries
Though the USA has its biggest naval base in Andaman and Nicobar islands, it intends to use
Chittagong Sea ports to strengthen its strategic position in the south Asia considering the
importance of the region in World politics. More clearly in terms of any dispute with India
and China, Chittagong port is the better place to contain two nuclear power and which are
growing as a superpower in international system. Japan and Australia also for their national
interest maintain good relations with Bangladesh and where Australia has different project
and aid in a great deal in Chittagong Hill Tracks. Not only India has interest over the
geopolitical location of Bangladesh. Also, countries like Nepal, Bhutan, China, and USA and
even countries like Japan and Australia are showing their interest in considering the
geopolitical importance of Bangladesh. Nepal and Bhutan being landlocked and not having
sea access, they are very much interested in using Bangladesh’s seaports to foster their trade.
Since China has a competing relationship with India, it always seeks opportunities to contain
India geo-strategically where Bangladesh becomes one of the perfect positions to her
intention.

Fig: Shown that some geopolitical important things in this region.

The geopolitics of Bangladesh-China Relations
China has been a constantly important factor in Bangladesh’s foreign policy since the
establishment of diplomatic, military and economic ties in 1976. Since then the Governments
of Bangladesh of all political complexions have pursued similar China policy.
It is quite appreciable that the Government of Bangladesh has adopted a balanced foreign
policy. It is applying the ‘friendship to all, animosity to none’ principle of our constitution
quite effectively, serving the legitimate and just national interest of Bangladesh, while
contributing to the maintenance of the right regional and continental balance of power. In this
process, the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping is one of the most significant events in the
diplomatic and geopolitical history of Bangladesh. For the last couple of decades, the position
of the President has become the most significant in China, ahead of the General Secretary of
the Communist Party. However, the Chinese have devised a way where both positions are
normally held by the same person, who in turn becomes the most powerful political figure in
the Chinese system. This visit is, hence, the first of its kind in reality, despite the visit of a
Chinese President in 1986 and a Premier in the early years of this decade. The visit of such a
high profile global figure from China to Bangladesh signifies the kind of importance China
nowadays attaches to Bangladesh. The current Prime Minister, quite intelligently, undertook
the initiative of ice-breaking between the Awami League and the Chinese leadership while
she was the leader of the opposition, and the Chinese reciprocated wholeheartedly. It was in
the context of a perceived coldness emanating from 1971 and the seventies. It was a fitting
and timely initiative given the reality of economic miracles being achieved by China and the
secular and, still to a great extent, pro-commoners nature of the Chinese state. Perhaps, China
can’t anymore be termed as a communist republic in the classical sense, in light of its
spectacular economic rise driven by Special Economic Zones initially in the early eighties
and domestic private entrepreneurships later. Now both the governments share the same
global anti-terror platform too.
It hardly requires to mention that China is almost a global superpower now. In economic
terms, it already is; militarily, perhaps a superpower in waiting. But already China is very
much a continental power in all senses. However, coping rightly with China’s largely
peaceful rise to the stature of a major power is a delicate job in the geopolitical sphere of
Asia, especially in the Indian Ocean maritime domain, where there are other established and
aspiring powers. The US is still the dominant military force globally and in the Indian Ocean.
We have no dispute with China and hence BangladeshChina relations can grow almost
unrestricted. However, the reality is Bangladesh is surrounded by India from three sides. We
need Chinese friendship to counteract such potential threats. China, on the other hand, needs
alternate access to the Indian Ocean for trade and energy supply purposes. In fact, India itself
is part of BCIM initiative which is very much in line with China’s ‘one belt one road’
economic connectivity agenda. China also wants to dish out the labor-intensive
manufacturing of its private entrepreneurs to countries with cheaper labor e.g. Bangladesh, as
it has already reached midincome status and looking to climb up the value chain. All these
make a case for some genuine alliance between Bangladesh and China. China has a stable
vision for Asia and we perfectly fit into it. We shall surely not discard India or the US,
neither should we get tied in their disputes.
China enjoys access to the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar
Dhaka’s proposal to connect Kunming with Bangladesh by road through Myanmar could be
an alternative route for China; Quest for natural resources: China is known to have shown
interest in Bangladesh’s energy sector. This assumes significance in the context when both
India and China are competitors in energy sector in terms of consumption and international
investment. Reportedly, India is sceptical about Sino-Bangla understanding and possible
cooperation in nuclear energy sector and;

The enhanced importance of the Bay of Bengal and the perceived triangular contest there
involving India, China and the USA. The facts that Bangladesh is the third largest Muslim
country and one of the four Muslim democracies are strategically important.

Fig: Shown some strategic point of Bay Of Bengal.

Bangladesh between Sino-Indian confliction in this region
We must address this economic issue with delicate diplomacy. Recently, China has
committed $24 billion for infrastructural development in Bangladesh. On the other hand,
India has promised something to the tune of $2 billion and a coal-based power plant in the
environmentally critical area of Sundarbans, UNESCO declared site for nature conservation.
Bangladesh's land area is surrounded by the Indian border, where Indian border guards kill
150-200 Bengalis annually, and we are still friendly neighbours. Like many other places in
the world, India and Bangladesh have critical disputes. Some of them are solved
diplomatically and some of them are under tireless negotiations. For example, in September
2011, the two countries signed a major accord on border demarcation to end the 4-decade old
disputes over boundaries. Still now, Bangladesh is not getting a fair, rational and necessary
share of the Ganges water. Bangladesh observes that during the dry season India releases
very little amount of water and it gets flooded when India releases excess waters in monsoon
season when we don't need water. Another achievement of Bangladesh's diplomacy is the
Bay of Bengal sea water settlement with India. Teesta is now a dried and dead river for
Indian policy. And river water sharing is another big issue between India and Bangladesh.
For decades, it has been exerting huge economic and environmental impact since the
Bangladeshi population lives on agriculture by natural irrigation. We don't have any history
of hostilities with the Chinese. China is also very close to Bangladesh, but the Himalayas
create enormous natural barriers. Since China is becoming a global player and has put forth
the grand design of the One Belt One Road Initiative and Maritime Silk Route, this puts
Bangladesh as a necessary strategic hub for connecting South Asia with South East Asia.
India appears disturbed and worried by such a Chinese step towards Bangladesh because, in
that way, China can put geopolitical pressure on India from Pakistan, China's old friend and
from the would-be friend Bangladesh. Since the US is siding with India, the South Asian
geopolitical game will soon take new shapes and forms.

Changing Regional Geo-Strategic Scenario

The changed geo-strategic dynamics, following the rise of the United States as the lone
superpower and the subsequent events in Europe and the Middle East, and the rapid changes
in global geo-politics actually accentuated the fear-psychosis of the existing and emerging
middle powers. These powers, apprehensive of the perceived threats to their national interests
from state and non-state actors, are either aligning with or moving away from the
predominant global power. The emerging strategic partnerships between Russia and China
and between the United States and India seem to be going in opposite directions. However,
the ever increasing strength of the middle powers necessitated extension of their strategic
frontiers. In our region we are witnessing the strategic rivalry between India and China. India,
having defied US influence for five long decades since its independence, moved much closer
to the USA and established nuclear and military cooperation with Washington, shunning the
spirit of the principle of non-alignment. On the other hand, Russia and China, having moved
closer to each other, are trying to counter the US influence in their respective backyards.
In the backdrop of the redefined strategic frontier of the emerging Asian military giant, India,
Bangladesh needs to reassess its own geo-strategic dynamics, with the focus on its
opportunities and challenges. Most of all, Bangladesh needs to bear in mind its geographic
location, vital for Indian integration and expansion of strategic frontier, and its non-renewable
cheap energy.

Conclusion

Bangladesh lies contiguous to India’s sensitive Northeast, which has been the focus of de-
stabilisation through anti-Indian insurgencies by China, Pakistan and now Bangladesh, singly
and jointly with Pakistan.
Dr. Kapila’s strategic concerns for India are not unique; he rather represents the mainstream
geo-strategic thinkers of Delhi. It was in thus-defined geo-strategic ambit that New Delhi’s
reaction to the bomb blasts on 17 August 2005 is to be viewed. For long, Delhi has been
accusing Bangladesh of connivance with religious extremists for expanding towards
Northeast India’s Muslim majority districts of Assam. India’s increasing demand on
Bangladesh for strategic concessions needs to be viewed in the context that most Indian
strategists agree that Bangladesh is a crucially important country for India to secure its
strategic frontier which goes beyond India’s geographical boundary, from Hormuz to
Malacca and from Pars, Iran, to Hanoi, Vietnam. To India’s strategic decision makers,
Bangladesh is well within its internal security parameter. That perception makes India more
tremulous while dealing with Bangladesh.
The above analysis over the geopolitical reality and its impacts on foreign policy formulation
gives us the understanding that Bangladesh hardly can avoid India as a factor to its foreign
policy also in this changing world its being vice versa. Now Bangladesh is going to make a
new strong relationship with emerging world power China instead of India. Geopolitical
realities dictation over foreign policy provides both disadvantages and disadvantages which
also makes the countries interdependent in this world system.