Home ›› 10 May 2023 ›› Opinion
On April 24, 2023, Bangladesh announced a formal declaration of its ‘Indo-Pacific Outlook (IPO)’, in which it has stated that, the region’s peace and prosperity will be a “crucial factor” in the realisation of Bangladesh’s Vision 2041. The IPO, developed with 15-point goals based on the aforementioned four principles, was unveiled by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.
Bangladesh’s adoption of this strategy is primarily driven by its dedication to increasing its geopolitical and financial influence in the Indo-Pacific region and achieving the Vision 2041 goals. Bangladesh’s long-term sustainability and prosperity might be contingent in a substantial way on the Indo-Pacific region’s percentage of GDP, maritime supremacy, dominance in global trade, increased climate action, and expanding technological innovation.
Dhaka made it explicit that it had no favourism for either China or the United States regarding the region’s expanding geopolitical struggle, and it emphasized security as a vital prerequisite for economic growth within its 15-point perspective. As a result, Bangladesh did not promote any controversial narratives concerning the IPO. While the United States has made free movement and trade a top priority in its framework, Bangladesh additionally expressed queries regarding safeguarding its sovereignty and identifying peaceful solutions to international disputes.
Bangladesh has a particular advantage due to its central position in the Indo-Pacific and its closeness to the Bay of Bengal’s vital maritime corridor. Again, it is becoming a leading maritime power in South Asia after settling maritime disputes with Myanmar and India without violence. Geostrategic position, regional integration, social and economic development have all made Bangladesh an important player in the Indo-Pacific region, and this has only increased since the country became part of both the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
Despite reportedly intense lobbying from the United States and its coalition partners to join their Indo-Pacific alliance, Bangladesh has opted to pursue its unique Indo-Pacific strategies that correspond of its “Friendship to all, malice towards none” foreign policy dictum. Adopting “Indo-Pacific Outlook,” Bangladesh made an effort to articulate its own viewpoint on the subject of strong socioeconomic regional cooperation. The IPO delineates its position on inclusive development, emphasizing regional integration, revenue generation through trade and investments, peace and stability, technological advancement, the environment, as well as security protocols for its implementation.
Therefore, the primary objective of Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook aims to broaden its involvement in the region, accelerate economic development, and confront common challenges with other countries in the region.
Furthermore, IPO’s goals include bolstering regional economic cooperation, safeguarding maritime trade, combating climate change, expanding investment potential, and establishing new strategic partnerships with different countries. Their worldview is geared towards advancing the goal of an open, free, peaceful, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region by maintaining norms regarding global order, freedom of trade and commerce, growth, and the equal sovereignty for all countries. Boosting investment and trade is a further objective for Bangladesh, notably in the fields of public spending and technical networking, which are viewed as key components of the country’s economic growth.
Similarly, Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific outlook is inextricably connected to its long history of peaceful coexistence and commitment to international diplomacy. Frequently a proponent of regional stability, the country is engaged in numerous multilateral initiatives to deal with simultaneously as well as global problems.
Bangladesh’s IPO highlights the value of culture of peace and multilateralism diplomacy. To combat global issues including climate change, hunger, and regional stability, the government is committed to working alongside neighbors in Indo-Pacific region. As stated in its Indo-Pacific Outlook, one of its key objectives is to “enhance peace, prosperity, security, and resilience within all parties across the Indo-Pacific region through strengthening mutual trust and respect, forging alliances and coexistence, and promoting dialogue and communication.”
In addition, Bangladesh views the Indo-Pacific region as one where conversation and peaceful settlement of disputes are paramount. Among its objectives is to continue establishing an impression in areas involving nonproliferation, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and counterterrorism on a global scale, especially with partners in the Indo-Pacific.
The IPO is indicative of Bangladesh’s dedication to advancing regional economic growth and cooperation. The government has been pushing for more market access and trade liberalization for developing countries. Alongside, it has been a prominent participant in regional economic endeavors including the BIMSTEC, the BCIM Economic Corridor, and the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B). Reiterating, Bangladesh is on track to become the 20th largest economy by 2037 thanks to the country’s economic stability, huge flow of remittances, and flourishing export market. Because of this, Bangladesh intends to engage with sub-regional partners and appropriate organisations to strengthen regional cooperation and improve synergies.
Since it emphasises the value of cooperation, interaction, and multilateralism for confronting regional and global challenges, Bangladesh’s IPO is an ideal strategy for dealing with great power rivalry. The country’s policy acknowledges the region’s geopolitical challenges’ complexity and interdependence and aims to strike a balance between cooperation and competition that fosters peace, stability, and development.
For instance, Bangladesh interacts with all major power, including China, (with whom there could be disagreements or difficulties), in an effort to create open channels of communication and foster confidence. Bangladesh’s greater diplomatic endeavors, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange initiatives, as well as stronger leadership of the government is balancing competing goals and navigating complicated geopolitical challenges.
Consequently, Bangladesh recognises the complexity and interconnectedness of global and regional challenges and stresses the significance of multilateralism, collaboration, and interaction in confronting them. The IPO of this country is the reflection of its geographical stance. It seems like a holistic and flexible strategy, that can be adopted by other developing nations witnessing similar challenges in the region.
Likewise, the IPO of Bangladesh places a premium on regional economic integration and connectivity. Other developing countries in this region may learn from this strategy for economic growth and integration, as they also stand to gain from increasing trade and investment flows and enhanced connectivity.
Again, Bangladesh ranks as 7th most climate-vulnerable country, therefore the Indo-Pacific Outlook places a premium on sustainability and climate change mitigation. Bangladesh’s neighboring countries could benefit from this country’s dedication to environmental preservation and climate change mitigation, and could follow in its footsteps towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
Despite the widespread applaud for the Bangladesh’s IPO, some countries and diplomatic experts have expressed concerns, that it will only serve to foster regional unrest, slow China’s growth, and increase Bangladesh’s tilt towards the United States.
However, Bangladesh did not gravitate towards either the United States or its allies in the conflict with China. Bangladesh’s IPO is independent and never following any country. It is not an attempt to either placate or frustrate to any leading global power. Instead, it is primarily concerned with ensuring their own maritime security, non-traditional security, and burgeoning economic development. This has motivated it to adhere to its unambiguous foreign policy dictum without showing favoritism or inciting polarism.
Rather, Bangladesh is committed to advancing global commerce, political stability, and ecological sustainability. Through Indo-Pacific Outlook, Bangladesh demonstrated its dedication to making the Indo-Pacific region wealthier, peaceful, and sustainable.
The writer is freelance contributor
