Sheikh Hasina’s trips to India and China

In the complex field of international relations, juggling diplomatic connections with competing superpowers is rather difficult. Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has deftly balanced itself to keep strong ties with China and India. Her most recent trips to these countries show the strategic grace needed to preserve Bangladesh's sovereignty while promoting political and financial collaboration.

Two of Asia's strong countries, India and China, have a lengthy history of rivalry characterized by border conflicts, economic competitiveness, and different geopolitical goals. Strategic between both heavyweights, Bangladesh must carefully control its diplomatic activities to guarantee national interests are safeguarded and advanced. The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has often shown a sophisticated awareness of these dynamics, trying to use ties with both nations to benefit Bangladesh.

Inspired by the idea of "friendship with all, malice towards none," Bangladesh's foreign policy has been essential in preserving fair ties with both India and China. This balanced diplomacy was especially clear during the 12th parliamentary election when China and India supported Bangladesh against US outside pressure. Their unified opposition to outside intervention highlighted Bangladesh's diplomatic strategy's maturity and potency.

Following the national elections in India, Sheikh Hasina's most recent trip there was evidence of the close and complex link between the two countries. The trip underlined how dedicated both nations are to improving bilateral cooperation in many spheres. Agreements meant to increase bilateral trade and investment came out of the discussion. Both nations promised to try to lower trade restrictions and improve market access for goods from one another.

The discussion was held on the water sharing problem—especially with reference to the renewal of the Ganges River Water Sharing Agreement and India's assistance in the Teesta River Water Management and Water Conservation Project in Bangladesh, and both parties showed a readiness to come to a mutually beneficial conclusion. Agreed upon improved collaboration on the rail and road transit and easing the visa process reflects the shared thinking on deepening the relationship.

The Memorandum of Understan­ding (MoU) on maritime cooperation and blue economy, which was signed during the visit, seeks to enhance the development of our ocean-based blue economy and promote collaboration in the marine sector. The MoU on oceanography will create a structured basis for doing research in this field. Furthermore, the renewal of the MoU on disaster management will enhance and fortify the ability to respond to and develop skills in this whole field.

The Memorandum of Understan­ding (MoU) on transit, despite facing baseless criticism from the opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), holds great importance for both Bangladesh and other countries in the South Asian area. India would utilize Bangladesh as a means of moving products to other nations in the area, while Bangladesh would rely on Indian territory and transmission infrastructure to purchase power from Nepal. However, Nepal and Bhutan will utilize Indian territory to access a Bangladeshi port, allowing them to generate foreign cash. During the visit, a total of 16 MoUs were signed, and 13 specific declarations were made.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited China during 8-10 July, thereby underscoring Bangladesh's geopolitical balancing act. This trip seeks to deepen bilateral connections and investigate fresh directions of collaboration. China has been a major collaborator in Bangladesh's infrastructure development; this visit is likely to guarantee further funding for important projects including road, rail, and port building. Talking about improving trade relations and correcting the trade deficit between the two nations will probably center on Bangladesh wanting more access to the Chinese market so it may sell its goods. With possible agreements to support technology transfer and capacity building in many industries, collaborations in technology and innovation should be a top priority on the agenda.

Maintaining balanced ties with both India and China calls for smart diplomacy, particularly because of their history and continuous rivalry. Engaging both countries constructively has been Sheikh Hasina's strategy to make sure Bangladesh does not seem to be leaning just towards one side. The balanced diplomacy of Bangladesh emphasizes its will to protect national sovereignty and promote national interests. Bangladesh can avoid becoming a pawn in the geopolitical games of bigger nations by fostering good ties with both India and China, therefore advancing its development objectives.

Maintaining internal stability depended critically on the diplomatic backing from China and India for the 12th parliamentary election. Their shared resistance to outside intervention brought attention to Bangladesh's capacity to mobilize strong supporters to protect its sovereignty. The excellent balancing act of Bangladesh has improved its profile across the globe. It is considered a country able to forward its developmental goals while handling difficult foreign ties. This diplomatic maturity helps Bangladesh's reputation in several international venues, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Still, there are difficulties even with the achievements. Sometimes geopolitical conflicts between India and China place Bangladesh in a challenging position. Managing these tensions calls for ongoing diplomatic interaction as well as a sophisticated awareness of the changing geopolitics.

Bangladesh's capacity to keep up with economic growth and development will determine its destiny. This depends on balanced diplomacy with India and China to make sure Bangladesh can keep drawing investments, improving economic ties, and gaining from infrastructure and technical developments.

Bangladesh must guarantee inclusive and sustainable development as it advances. Diplomatic interactions have to be in line with the general objectives of sustainable development so that economic progress results in better living conditions for all people.

Visits to India and China by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina best depict the careful balance Bangladesh keeps in its diplomatic ties with these competing nations. Bangladesh has gained major political and financial advantages by deftly negotiating the complexity of these linkages, therefore strengthening its sovereignty and forwarding its development programme. Balanced diplomacy will always be a pillar of Bangladesh's foreign policy as it keeps on its road of progress, making sure it can negotiate the obstacles of the future and seize the possibilities given by its strategic interactions with both India and China.

Writer: Dr Pranab Kumar Panday, Professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Rajshahi.