Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed has said Bangladesh can be an ideal place for ushering cooperation between Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) members.
While delivering the keynote speech at a seminar, he said that the BRI project, China’s "Mega Marshal Plan", is an excellent scheme for infrastructural development for both Bangladesh and China.
Prof Imtiaz, from Dhaka University's International Relations department and executive director of the Centre for Alternatives, also emphasised Chinese investment in Bangladesh's roads and connectivity, which he defined as a win-win situation for the country.
The Centre for Alternatives (CA), in collaboration with the Embassy of China in Bangladesh, hosted an academic seminar on “BRI and Bangladesh” at a Dhaka hotel on Monday.
Due to personal urgency, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen could not attend the seminar, said the organisers on Tuesday.
In his place, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy, Song Yang, joined the occasion as the chief guest.
Dr ASM Ali Ashraf, professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, delivered welcome remarks.
There were two distinguished speakers: Dr M.M. Akash, professor at the Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Professor and Chairman at the Department of Economics, University of Dhaka.
Song Yang addressed the audience after the distinguished speakers’ presentations.
Dr. Akash referred to BRI as an excellent opportunity for Bangladesh and the world, and he said that the world should be cautious about the "Thucydides Trap".
He also identified China as an actor who can adapt to the time and context.
Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir emphasised the importance of BRI, considering Bangladesh's economic and political condition.
He admired the current position of Bangladesh, as it is counted by every world actor, especially China, as a close partner in its BRI development dream.
Song Yang addressed BRI as a "2000-year-old Silk Road spirit" based on mutual benefits, peaceful coexistence, and shared destiny.
He also said that BRI was a new initiative for high-quality development, modernising all countries, including Bangladesh.
He placed a particular emphasis on the alignment of the dream of the Chinese nation with the dream of Bangladesh's Father of the Nation.
Dr ASM Ali Ashraf discussed the BRI and how it aligns with Bangladesh's critical foreign policy principle, “friendship towards all, malice to none.”
He discussed BRI through the lenses of three major theories of international relations: liberalism, realism, and constructivism. Dr Amena Mohsin, Professor at the International Relations Department of the University of Dhaka, delivered the note of thanks.
