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Japan time-tested friend of Bangladesh

UNB . Tokyo
27 Apr 2023 16:40:59 | Update: 27 Apr 2023 17:53:25
Japan time-tested friend of Bangladesh
— PID Photo

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday expressed her firm belief that Japan will always stand by Bangladesh in building “Sonar Bangla,” the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and turn it into a land of opportunity.

“We are confident that Japan will be on our side as it had been in the past. I am also confident that the people of Japan will always be on our side besides their government as they did in our need in the past,” she said.

The prime minister said this while speaking at a ceremony for conferring “Friends of Liberation War Honour” to four Japanese nationals at Akasaka Palace Guest House in Tokyo for their great contribution to the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

She hoped that the lasting friendship and enviable partnership over the past fifty years will be carried forward by the new generation in the years to come. “We never forget our friends,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina acknowledged the sustained economic cooperation and support of Japan in the country's socio-economic pursuit which assisted it to become a developing country graduating from LDC status.

“We have dedicated ourselves to the dream of Bangabandhu of a true Sonar Bangla [Golden Bengal] and to turn Bangladesh into a land of opportunity.”

The prime minister said the people of Japan stood beside Bangladesh during its Independence War.

She mentioned that Bangladesh had a modest list of eight honourees whom it had honoured with “Friends of Liberation War Honour” on March 27, 2012 and October 1, 2013.

“This evening we are in Tokyo to honour four more great friends of Bangladesh who stood by us, organised the moral and material support and ensured assistance."

She recalled with deep gratitude the support of the people of Japan which reconfirmed that the cause was right and could not be trampled.

“You heard our yearning for justice, honour, dignity and human rights. Your voice added strength to our voice and was magnified to the global community. You rallied with our cause and together raised a human citadel against a ruthless force. In the land of the rising sun, we see the image of a nation with dignity and humanity.”

She mentioned that the people of Japan rose to protest atrocities and sent humanitarian reliefs, and medical facilities to the helpless people of Bangladesh.

“It was a period of sorrow which cannot be expressed in mere words. Our country was ravaged by the occupying forces.”

At that critical moment, she said, Japanese friends understood our plight and went forward for the cause of humanity. They faced great challenges, but did not fall back.

“Their act of selflessness rekindled our spirit in the face of threats. Most unforgettable was the charitable gesture of Japanese school children who saved and donated their tiffin money to help our people," she said.

The prime minister said the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Japan is based on mutual trust, respect, friendship and cooperation.

She also said the historic visit of Bangabandhu to Japan in October 1973, laid the foundation of a steadfast and lasting friendship.

“For me, it is an honour to carry on my father’s legacy and visit Japan in 1997, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2019 to further strengthen our relations. I am happy today that during my tenure, our time-tested friendship has evolved in depth and dimension from a ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.”

She said Bangladesh and Japan share the same noble ideas and principles of equality, democracy and democratic practice, inclusive development, social justice and rule of law.

Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was present. 

Co-op in defence, economy

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida have welcomed the commencement of negotiations on agreement concerning the transfer of defence equipment and technology, recognising the future potential, reports BSS.

The two prime ministers decided to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership" as a guiding principle to lead the two countries' journey into the next 50 years and beyond, according to a joint statement issued on Thursday. 

Both leaders shared the determination to enhance cooperation, specifically cooperation for peace and stability in the region and beyond, deepening economic cooperation for mutual benefits and regional prosperity, and expansion of cultural cooperation and people to people exchanges.

At the invitation of the Japanese prime minister, Sheikh Hasina is currently on an official visit and had a summit meeting with her Japanese counterpart on April 26.

The two premiers welcomed recent frequent port calls at Chattogram by vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the high-level mutual visits of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and Bangladesh Armed Forces.

In light of the Memorandum of Cooperation and Exchanges formulated between the defence authorities from the two sides, they concurred to continue to promote security cooperation such as mutual visits by vessels and aircraft, unit-to-unit exchange, training programmes and goodwill exercises.

In addition, both prime ministers have decided to consider opening Defence Wing in Tokyo and National Security Wing in Dhaka in their respective embassies in the near future.

Furthermore, they concurred to enhance dialogue among the respective diplomatic and defence authorities in order to identify possible ways to strengthen security cooperation.

Prime Minister Kishida explained Japan's efforts for fundamentally reinforcing its defence capabilities and strengthening diplomatic efforts, as illustrated in the new National Security Strategy, National Defence Strategy, and Defence Buildup Programme.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shared Bangladesh's plan and initiative for further modernising its armed forces under the Forces Goal 2030.

Both prime ministers acknowledged the efforts by both countries to contribute to their respective regional security.

Sheikh Hasina acknowledged the establishment of the Official Security Assistance by Japan, a new cooperation framework for the benefit of armed forces and other related organisations of like-minded countries for the purpose of deepening security cooperation, and looked forward to future cooperation under this framework.

The two prime ministers confirmed that, guided by the traditional and time-tested friendship since the independence of Bangladesh, the two countries have achieved significant progress in bilateral relations based on the "Comprehensive Partnership" established in 2014.

They noted that the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022, as a manifestation of commitment and determination to contribute to enhancing the bilateral relationship based on common values and mutual interests.

Guided by the fundamental values and principles shared by the two countries, the two prime ministers reaffirmed their commitment to realising a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law, where the rights, freedoms and sovereignty of all countries, regardless of size or power, are protected by international law, rules and norms.

In particular, they affirmed that maritime order based on common values such as freedom of navigation is a cornerstone for stability and prosperity of the international community and that the use of the sea as global commons will contribute to the development of blue economy.

Prime Minister Kishida explained that Japan, as the G7 presidency, would like to demonstrate the G7's determination to uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law and to enhance relations with partners in the international community beyond the G7.

Sheikh Hasina felicitated Japan on its G7 presidency.

Prime Minister Kishida also outlined a newly released plan for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)", which will strengthen Japan's efforts to further promote the FOIP vision, with the four pillars of cooperation — "Principles for Peace and Rules for Prosperity," "Addressing Challenges in an Indo-Pacific Way," "Multi-layered Connectivity," and "Extending Efforts for Security and Safe Use of the ‘Sea’ to the ‘Air’."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appreciated Japan's sustained efforts to contribute to securing regional and international peace, stability, and prosperity.

She reiterated Bangladesh's principled position on a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific based on international law and shared prosperity for all.

Recognising the importance of Bangladesh, which holds great economic potential and can be a bridge between huge economic markets, namely South Asia and Southeast Asia, the two prime ministers shared the recognition that developing quality infrastructure will enhance regional connectivity and contribute to the development of Bangladesh and the region.

In this context, they stressed the importance of transparent and fair development finance to achieve sustainable development and highlighted the importance of adhering to international rules and standards, such as debt sustainability and transparency.

They also shared the recognition of the importance of economic security, including strengthening resilience of supply chain, and the rules-based international economic order to counter challenges such as economic coercion.

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