Bangladesh has a history of poor working conditions including low wages, long hours and rampant sexism in a country where 85% of the garment workers were women. Workers were forced to work 14-16 hour shifts seven days a week all while making 2,000 Bangladesh Taka ($16.73) less than the minimum liveable wage. The work environments were also cramped and hazardous, often resulting in injury and other accidents, such as fires. From 2005-2012, there were several factory accidents that resulted in the death of nearly 250 workers. This does not include the thousands of other workers who were killed or injured in other accidents starting in as early as 1990. 

The turning point for Bangladesh’s RMG sector finally came in 2013 with the tragic Rana Plaza factory building collapse, which claimed the lives of 1,134 people, most of whom were garment workers. The tragedy prompted industry leaders and government officials, with the aid of international initiatives, to reevaluate safety measures and implement comprehensive reforms.

International initiatives 

International initiative has played a pivotal role in reshaping Bangladesh’s RMG industry. The two landmark initiatives formed in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza incident, The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety and the Accord, have played a crucial role in significantly enhancing worker safety in Bangladesh’s RMG sector by conducting rigorous factory inspections, mandating safety upgrades and empowering workers through training and safety committees.

Since 2020, a nationally led RMG Sustainability Council, bringing together industry owners, brands and trade unions, has taken over the building and fire safety responsibility from international initiatives. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) says that, under the council, significant improvements have been made in workers’ rights, including safety and transparency. 

Over the past decade, the country has invested in infrastructure by installing state-of-the-art fire and electrical safety equipment. A commitment to green initiatives and compliance measures has also resulted in safer working conditions and positioned Bangladesh as a role model for other nations in the garment manufacturing sector.

The 2013 Labor (Amendment) Act introduced pivotal amendments by creating safety committees in factories with 50 or more workers, appointing safety welfare officers in workplaces with more than 500 employees and establishing Health Centers in workplaces with over 5000 employees.

In 2022, the RMG Sustainability Council, in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), signed an agreement to enhance workplace safety and health in ten priority economic sectors. The initiative aims to establish safety units, develop safety committees and upskill workers on occupational safety and health.

The government has also invested in capacity building and training programs for workers and factory owners to foster a safety culture. These initiatives focus on imparting essential skills, raising awareness about safety protocols and cultivating a sense of responsibility toward the well-being of workers. 

A crucial aspect of Bangladesh’s commitment to safety lies in empowering workers. The Accord and RMG Sustainability Council have facilitated the formation of over 1,200 joint labor-management Safety Committees in Accord-covered factories. These committees are now trained to address and monitor factory safety daily. Moreover, workers have filed over 6,000 complaints through independent mechanisms, leading to improvements in health and safety, disciplinary actions, benefit payments and reduced working hours.

The impact of these efforts includes developing and implementing training programs for over 1.2 million workers, establishing a helpline managing over 30,000 calls annually and impactful worker surveys. The Accord and the RMG Sustainability Council have conducted nearly 56,000 inspections, rectifying 140,000 health and safety issues.

Governmental reforms

In 2023, in response to industrial disasters, the Bangladesh government initiated significant reforms in the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) . The department received increased budgetary allocations, enhanced status and additional staff. Efforts have been made to strengthen planning and operational mechanisms, resulting in a more effective, credible and accountable inspection service.

The Alliance conducted thorough inspections of factories associated with its member brands. These inspections assessed structural, electrical and fire safety and the overall working conditions. It identified safety deficiencies — categorized by severity — and factories were given a specific timeline for remediation. The Alliance actively worked with factory owners to ensure the necessary safety measures.

The Accord brought about tangible improvements through rigorous inspections, audits and remediation for 850 factories, benefitting over a million workers. These initiatives have created a ripple effect, fostering a culture of safety and compliance across the sector. Suppliers in Bangladesh have made significant safety improvements at their factories, with support from more than 220 brand signatories who have invested over 70 million USD to finance the Accord programs and operations in Bangladesh.

The commitment to workplace safety is evident in the multitude of workplace safety certifications achieved by Bangladesh’s RMG industry. With certifications from renowned organizations such as BSCI, Accord, WRAP SEDEX and more, around 18,000 workers are currently employed in facilities that adhere to the highest international safety standards. The country boasts 226 LEED-certified green RMG factories, with an additional 500 in the pipeline for certification. These certifications not only validate the industry’s commitment to safety but also provide assurance to international buyers and consumers.

Continuing to stand up for what is right

As of today, Bangladesh still has work to do in order to continue bettering its RMG industry. From January–September 2024, workers in Bangladesh were protesting the working conditions in RMG factories, revealing the persistent nature of the issues plaguing this industry. However, representatives for both the factory owners and workers were able to meet an agreement in late September that shows the continued promise for a better future in the sector. While Bangladesh is not fully reformed, it has managed to pull itself out of the shadows of industrial disasters and is now on its way to becoming a global exemplar for safety and sustainability. The nation’s commitment, backed by investments, collaborations and regulatory reforms, strives to ensure the safety of its RMG workers and positions the country as a torchbearer for other nations in the garment manufacturing sector. As Bangladesh continues to stride towards a future of safe, sustainable and responsible industry practices, the world watches, inspired by a nation that turned tragedy into triumph.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

The post Worker safety in Bangladesh: Tragedy Turned into Triumph appeared first on Fair Observer.

Recently, Amy Sood, a reporter for South China Morning Post, claimed that Rohingyas are facing a “second genocide” in Bangladesh, which is falsified and misleading because it sounds like Bangladesh is targeting and killing Rohingyas.

Bangladesh has taken every action it believes possible for the vulnerable refugees — but as international donors and humanitarian organizations keep showing their backs, it’s getting nearly impossible for the developing country to make itself a safe haven for the Rohingya community without stretching its own resources beyond the breaking point.

Since fleeing Myanmar on foot during the 2017 military campaign against them, which has been recognized as genocide by many in the international community, nearly one million Rohingya have been hosted by Bangladesh. Since then, there’s no doubt that the persecuted community has gotten a lot of attention, aid and sympathy from across the world, but with time, all of that has come to sound more like lip service. 

The struggles of the impoverished and less-educated community seem to be of less concern, as international donors are now focused on refugees who share racial and ethnic similarities and have sought refuge in their affluent European surroundings, such as Ukraine.

The congested and unhygienic nature of the camp is a boon for diseases and has become a fire hazard too- last March, 12000 Rohingyas became homeless because of a sudden fire in the camps. If this wasn’t enough, the recent aid cut for the community has been like rubbing salt in the wound. Since the pandemic hit in 2020, international funding for necessities has dropped as donor fatigue sets in. In 2023, the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis Joint Response Plan barely gathered 40 percent of the required funds.

Lack of resources and rise in crime

Shrinking budgets have forced the UN and international NGOs to lay off refugees from paid volunteer roles, which are one of their few legal sources of income. The UN has had to cut vital food assistance by one-third, from $10 to $12 per person per month in March to $8 per person per month by June — meaning only $0.27 per day is allocated for each Rohingya. 

As Bangladesh is already going through a crisis of food inflation, this cut will further add to the widespread malnutrition in the camps. Mothers are concerned about how to limit the size of their children’s meals further and how much longer they can sustain such reductions.

Conditions in the refugee camps are getting more dire by the day for the Rohingya. Education opportunities for the children are very limited, especially considering that many of them have grown up in these camps in the last six years. Due to Bangladesh’s issues of climate change, the refugee camps face risks of significant heat waves, floods and tornados with nowhere to run. 

Such poverty and hopelessness, allied with the vicious cycle of violence in the camps, have further worsened the situation for the refugees. The Rohingyas, particularly young men, have been involved in various crimes, including kidnapping, drug peddling, illegal trading of counterfeit money, robbery and gold smuggling, joining criminal gangs and armed groups, fueling more violence. They reportedly joined to receive a monthly payment of BDT 5,000 (approximately 50 USD) for active participation.

Over the past six years, a total of 186 killings have occurred in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, along with more than 500 kidnappings. These can be linked to the criminal activities of different separatist groups like the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO). Locals reveal that these groups enter the camps every evening with arms while torturing and stealing from other Rohingyas. The government-appointed Armed Police Battalion (APBn) raids become ineffective as the groups take positions in different hideouts and return at night once the operations end, continuing their havoc.

These insurgent groups set up their bases in the camps since their arrival in Bangladesh, but their increasing illegal activities have a deepening basis now: their antagonism towards repatriation efforts, the drug and arms trade in Rohingya camps with terrorist connections, and establishing superiority in the camps. 

Rising tensions: The Rohingya’s continued desperation

To escape this violence and for a better life, many Rohingyas have been heading eastward by sea to Muslim countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. The UN says it tracked a 360% spike in the number of Rohingya risking their lives on these dangerous boat journeys in 2022 — from 700 to 3,500. These people choose the risk of being detained, trafficked, seasick, hungry and lost in the sea with no hopes of being rescued to live off charity in the refugee camps anymore.

With the skyrocketing crime rates, panic and fear are also rising in Cox Bazar on the southeast coast of Bangladesh. Host versus the Rohingyas tension is on the rise. Residents of Cox’s Bazar are considering that their safety is at risk as the vast number of Rohingyas in the district has made the locals a minority. 

Bangladesh authorities have tried their utmost to address all these issues to the best of their ability. The camps have transitioned from scorched earth to paved ways like cities. To increase the security of both the locals and the refugees, authorities have placed barbed wire fences and deployed security forces. They have also relocated more than 100,000 refugees to Bhasan Char camps to deal with the severe overcrowding in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. The country has already spent $1.69 billion in 2022 alone to support Rohingya refugees. 

While Bangladesh struggles, the perpetrator of the whole tragedy, Myanmar, keeps beating around the bush about Rohingya refugees and their citizenship. Still, Bangladesh is trying to adhere to the principle of non-refoulement — not returning refugees to a place where they would face persecution. But the international community, instead of taking strict political and legal actions against the brutal Junta, is busy showering it with FDI. Foreign direct investment into Myanmar from 2017 to 2020 was greater than that of Bangladesh. 

Another year has passed- Bangladesh celebrated its biggest festival, Durga Puja, and the world is busy with the Ukraine and Israeli war, but Rohingyas stand still in a state of limbo. We cannot forget, and neither can the international community. The pledge to protect human rights above all should be reminded to the world humanitarian services, and a political solution to the resettlement of the Rohingyas must be encouraged. 

[Tara Yarwais edited this piece.]

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

The post The Rohingyas’ Plight Continues Though the World Has Forgotten appeared first on Fair Observer.

As a low-lying, densely populated country, Bangladesh finds itself on the frontline of climate change impacts, grappling with rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the displacement of vulnerable communities. Currently, the country is reeling from extreme flooding which has displaced half a million people and killed at least 23.

Despite contributing minimally to the carbon emissions responsible for these changes, Bangladesh still holds the developed world accountable for its part in accelerating climate change. However, Bangladesh also must fight to bring the Global South into climate action. The advocacy Bangladesh demonstrates for climate action and justice must remain at the forefront of the global stage.

Bangladesh fights for climate justice within its own borders

Bangladesh, often described as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, has been dealing with the severe consequences of climate change for decades. Geography and socio-economic conditions make it uniquely susceptible to the impacts of global warming. Rising sea levels pose an existential threat to coastal communities, and extreme weather events such as cyclones and floods disrupt livelihoods. According to the World Bank’s Country and Climate Development Report, tropical cyclones cost Bangladesh about $1 billion annually on average. The country could see as many as 13.3 million people displaced by 2050 due to climate change. Its GDP could fall by as much as 9% in case of severe flooding. 

In the face of these challenges, Bangladesh displays an action-centered attitude in dealing with climate change. The World Bank calls it “the emerging hot spot” where climate threats and action meet. Its initiatives have resulted in impressive climate adaptation ventures, including the construction of the world’s largest multi-storied social housing project in Coxs Bazar, which will rehabilitate 4,400 families displaced by climate change. In mitigation, Bangladesh has become one of the world leaders in Solar House Systems, with 6 million households using solar photovoltaic systems.

Bangladesh has not stopped at the social level. It has also worked towards boosting economic action to mitigate climate damage. Bangladesh was one of the first developing countries to establish a coordinated action plan in 2009. Till now, its climate policy deck includes the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Act, the Delta Plan 2100, and the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan. Each policy focuses on directing funds towards the prevention of climate damage.

The country has also set up a Climate Change Trust Fund, the first of its kind, allocating $300 million from domestic resources between 2009 and 2012. In 2014, the country adopted the Climate Fiscal Framework to create climate-inclusive public financial management. Bangladesh also introduced a National Sustainable Development Strategy to align economic development with climate priorities further. Bangladesh put forward a target to generate 5% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2015 and 10% by 2020.

However, Bangladesh has failed to meet either of these targets. It continues to generate most of its electricity from fossil fuels. The reliance on natural gas and coal puts Bangladesh at risk of power crises. This should not, however, be a sign of lax climate advocacy. Bangladesh continues to fight for justice both within its borders and on the regional stage. 

The regional stage must join Bangladesh in advocating for climate justice

Pursuing climate justice also includes Bangladesh’s proactive advocacy of raising awareness about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable nations. In the latest Munich security conference, this issue of regional disparities in renewable energy investment was discussed broadly. Till now, the funding discrimination in the Global South is glaring—mostly circulating in China and some high- and middle-income economies, with India and Indonesia gaining recent attention due to the steep rise in emissions. But poorer nations in the south are still largely off the radar.

During the pandemic, Bangladesh launched the South Asian regional office for the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in Dhaka in September 2020. The GCA Bangladesh office will promote indigenous nature-based sustainable solutions and innovative adaptation measures with the regional countries.

In December 2022, Bangladesh even became a party to the case by an international organization of small island states, known as the Commission of Small Island States (COSIS). COSIS sought an advisory opinion, the first request of its kind, on the states’ obligations regarding climate change at ICJ. Bangladesh submitted a written statement explaining the need for international law regarding climate change.

The failure of advanced economies, the major contributors to climate change, to mobilize investments in renewables for low-income countries is a critical discussion that must be kept alive for opportunities for global green growth. While Bangladesh should continue to be a vocal party to this conversation regarding other low-income countries, it too must advocate for itself. Its measures are not adequate to deal with its climate urgencies forever, especially considering the pressure of financing climate actions on its emerging economy. The country could require an estimated $26.5 billion to meet its goal of generating 40% of electricity from renewables by 2041. 

Bangladesh must be vigilant in securing climate finance and technology from the public and private sectors at future COPs, or it risks losing decades of economic gains to climate change during the crucial period of its development. Thus the country has emerged as a vocal proponent for the need for collective global responsibility in addressing climate change.

The Global South cannot face climate change alone

The hallmark of Bangladesh’s climate awareness and advocacy is that it has played a crucial role in shaping the discourse around loss and damage at international climate negotiations. Bangladesh has consistently called for developed nations to take decisive actions in reducing their carbon footprints. 

Bangladesh calls for such nations to provide financial and technological support to developing countries. The failure of advanced economies, the major contributors to climate change, to mobilize investments in renewables for low-income countries is a critical discussion that must be kept alive for opportunities for global green growth. 

 Bangladesh has been a member of essential bodies set up by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) over the years, such as the Adaptation Fund Board and the Green Climate Fund Board. It also plays a significant role in international climate diplomacy, having organized and led the Least Developed Countries negotiating bloc in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations since the bloc’s inception. The country’s advocacy has contributed to establishing the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage, which promotes dialogue around climate change effects. Bangladesh’s global advocacy signals a step forward in recognizing and addressing the impacts beyond action. 

The burden of climate change disproportionately falls on those who have contributed the least to its causes. Recognizing the challenges the Global South faces is crucial for fostering a fair and inclusive response to the climate crisis. The COP28 Loss and Damage Fund has been the right direction to take in this regard. The global community must acknowledge and support the efforts of nations like Bangladesh to pursue climate justice. Climate justice is not a charity but a shared responsibility for a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

The post Bangladesh Holds the World Accountable to Secure Climate Justice appeared first on Fair Observer.

The complex demographics of the Indian subcontinent, where country lines are blurred and communities converge, are at the core of the issue. Bangladesh shares a long, porous border with India across which both people and goods easily pass. The NRC threatens to upset the balance between the two neighbors.

To date, India has not executed its census scheduled for 2021 nor compiled an updated National Population Register, which is supposed to be the first step toward expanding the NRC. Additionally, in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly declared that the BJP had no plans for a nationwide NRC. However despite this statement, Modi’s recent move to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), providing pathways to citizenship for non-Indian religious minorities, suggests a nationwide NRC scheme could be in the works. 

Initially introduced in the state of Assam, the NRC is to be implemented nationwide, according to India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP vowed to drive out all “illegal immigrants” before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The goal might sound nice for an election campaign, but does a nationwide NRC actually hold water?

The dark side of the NRC

In Assam, the NRC procedure has been a complete disaster. The Supreme Court of India received petitions from multiple Assamese organizations asking for a revision of the draft NRC. The high court put the process on hold. The state’s BJP-led administration themselves have declined to accept the current NRC draft as well, claiming that some names were erroneously included or excluded throughout the process.

An overwhelming amount of bureaucratic red tape and corruption will follow the already protracted process when people begin appealing to the Foreigner Tribunal (FT) to fix their NRC status. In the case of a nationwide NRC, this will be a living nightmare. A few years ago, Supreme Court senior advocate Sanjay Hegde commented on the measure, “How do you go about this entire exercise with a population of 1.25 billion people,” he asked, speculating that “700 to 800 million people may not even have birth certificates.”

The most bizarre issue, though, is that the nationwide NRC, which aims to identify the nation’s “true citizens,” will ultimately force Indians without documentation to apply through the CAA procedure by claiming to be Afghan, Pakistani or Bangladeshi.

The nationwide implementation of the NRC could also have far-reaching consequences for relations between India and Bangladesh. The two countries have had a historically complicated relationship, oscillating between harmony and conflict. A nationwide NRC could undo it all.

India has previously assured Dhaka that NRC is an internal matter and that Bangladesh has nothing to worry about. This intentionally delusional promise is not feasible as public and media discourse in India generally equates “illegal immigrants” to “Bangladeshis.” There are still no clear guidelines on what will happen to the so-called “infiltrators,” but it does not take much to conclude that their eventual fate will be eviction to Bangladesh.

The prospect of mass deportations from India is a grave humanitarian and diplomatic challenge. Bangladesh is already burdened with Rohingya refugees who are unlikely to be repatriated back to Myanmar. Despite already having the ninth-highest population density in the world, Bangladesh is currently hosting 1.1 million Rohingya refugees living in camps and is in no position to receive further arrivals. 

Friends to enemies?

Beyond the deportation issue, nationwide enforcement of the NRC could have a widespread impact on sectors such as trade and security as well as people-to-people exchanges.

India–Bangladesh relations seemed to enter a golden age in 2023 when bilateral trade was valued at $15.9 billion and India invited Bangladesh to the G20 summit; however, steps taken towards the NRC could also be steps taken away from Bangladesh. Any contention related to the NRC risks pushing Bangladesh further towards China, its largest trade partner. India risks losing Bangladesh, an emerging hub of connectivity important for its Act East Policy aimed at improving relations and connectivity with Southeast Asian countries. 

Furthermore, the potential displacement of millions could create fertile ground for radicalization and extremism. It’s no surprise that many people in Bangladesh harbor anti-India sentiments due to India’s alleged meddling in its internal matters, decades-long water-sharing issues related to the Teesta River and border killings by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). This issue has created an atmosphere of public disdain and scorn directed towards India time and time again. The CAA and NRC are fanning the already burning flames of contempt between the two nations.

The last time the issue of immigrants gained such significant momentum was in 1979 in Assam, when tensions boiled over and resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 residents of Bengali origin. Already enraged by CAA regulations, anti-Indian blocks in Bangladesh will see a nationwide NRC as further attacks on Islam, especially if the deportees are primarily Muslim. This may become the stick to target the Hindu population in the country. India’s curious case of xenophobia will pull Bangladesh into its dirty politics.

The BJP government must realize NRC is not an internal issue anymore if it risks causing a transborder humanitarian crisis. The mass deportations or the establishment of prison facilities for people classified as “illegal” is highly concerning and goes against India’s values as a democratic and humanitarian country. India must consider whether compiling a list of the country’s citizens is really worth the benefit if it comes at the cost of families being split apart, people being uprooted from their homes and vulnerable populations becoming stateless.

[Emma Johnson edited this piece.]

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

The post Citizenship Registration Could Blow Up India–Bangladesh Relations appeared first on Fair Observer.

November’s was the first gathering of the GGF. The GGF brings European and international leaders together with leading thinkers and representatives of the private sector, civil society, financial institutions and international organizations. The theme of the year is, “Stronger Together through Sustainable Investment.”

The project is part of the Global Gateway Initiative. Under the initiative, Europe is seeking to make investments in transportation, healthcare, education and research globally. This is widely seen as an attempt to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The 2023 summit provided a unique platform for Hasina to engage with world leaders, including European leaders on the sidelines of the forum.

Establishing a partnership

The bilateral relationship between the EU and Bangladesh began in 1973. In the last 50 years, Bangladesh has become a “new Asian tiger,” and the EU has been supportive throughout this journey. In 2001, the EU-Bangladesh cooperation agreement laid the foundation for trade relations in which Bangladesh enjoyed duty-free access to the European market under the Everything but Arms initiative. Under this initiative, imports to the EU from nations that make its “least developed countries” list are duty-free and quota-free. With this advantage, Bangladeshi trade with the EU ballooned. Today, the EU is the largest trading partner of Bangladesh, accounting for 19.5% of its total trade.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic hit neighboring countries hard, Bangladesh navigated the pandemic well with help from the EU. The country attained support for procuring COVID-19 vaccines with a $265.5 million loan, allowing Bangladesh to achieve high vaccination rates quickly. After an initial pandemic slump in 2020, economic growth quickly returned to an impressive 6.9% in 2021. 

In 2022, Bangladesh–EU relations reached a new pinnacle, cementing future areas of collaboration such as Bangladesh’s participation in the EU’s CRIMARIO project to improve maritime security and safety in the wider Indian Ocean.

The relationship has not been without its problems. European observers have expressed concerns regarding civic and human rights in Bangladesh. Particularly worrying is an ongoing lack of transparency in Bangladeshi elections. In 2023, ties between Bangladesh and the EU hit a snag when the EU announced that it would not be sending a full team of observers to supervise the January 2024 Bangladeshi elections. EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley stated that the “necessary conditions” for such a mission were not met.

Yet, Bangladesh’s participation in the GGF reaffirms Bangladesh’s willingness to work with the EU.

Implications of the summit

The summit offers an opportunity to move beyond previous differences and create a more positive atmosphere to focus on shared goals and interests.

On the sidelines of the summit, Hasina had a bilateral meeting with Valdis Dombrobskis, who serves as Executive Vice President of the European Commission for An Economy that Works for People European Commissioner for Trade.

On the first day of the summit, Hasina delivered a speech praising the EU for launching the Global Gateway Initiative. She stated, “For Bangladesh, the EU is our trusted trade, development and humanitarian partner. We have fruitful cooperation in security, climate change and human mobility. Our shared values and commitments remain at the heart of our engagements with the EU.”

During the visit, Bangladesh and the EU concluded two investment packages. One is a Renewable Energy Package, worth more than $400 million, to assist in the green transition in Bangladesh. The other package, the Annual Action Plan for 2023, sees the EU investing $75 million in “public administration, and in employment, in skills and education, and green construction.” Both measures will certainly contribute to job growth in Bangladesh.

Hasina and President of the EC Ursula von der Leyen also launched negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to expand and develop the relationship between the EU and Bangladesh.

Hasina called for the EU to extend preferential treatment to Bangladesh under the Generalized System of Preferences. As Bangladesh develops and exits the “least developed countries” designation, it loses the advantages offered by the EU to those countries, such as Everything but Arms. Hasina hopes to keep the EU close in order to continue favorable trade conditions with the bloc and thus continue to boost Bangladesh’s economic growth.

The Rohingya issue also took center stage in meetings with EU leaders. Bangladesh is currently harboring 1.2 million Rohingya people in temporary shelters. These Rohingyas, who are mostly Muslim, were forced to flee Myanmar into neighboring Bangladesh in 2017. Hasina thanked the EU for its humanitarian assistance. The EU announced an additional $11.2 million in assistance for the refugees.

Planning ahead

In her speech, Hasina mentions that the EU and Bangladesh renewed their commitment to promote worker’s rights, as well as safe and regular migration through future partnerships, focusing more on strategic elements. Hasina also implored global leaders to take steps toward ending conflicts for a better future. “Connectivity is the lifeline for peace and progress. We need to prepare better for future crises,” she expressed.

With the world marred in nationalist wars, Hasina’s participation in various global summits in 2023, including the GGF, reinforces Bangladesh’s commitment to multilateralism. It shows that Bangladesh values international cooperation in an interconnected world.

[KeAmber Council edited this piece.]

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

The post Bangladesh–EU Relations: How to Secure Trust Between Nations appeared first on Fair Observer.

India announced its goal during its G20 presidency as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” glossed in English as “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” On the surface, this seems like an agenda based on global inclusivity, but behind this are India’s far-reaching ambitions of solidifying its influence as a leader of the Global South and one of the rising powers in the world.

The invitation of Bangladesh holds special importance as this is the first time the country will attend the summit and it is also the only South Asian country to be invited this year. India has also stated that it expects Bangladesh’s “active participation” in the G20 meetings to promote the issues of mutual interest in the global arena.

Why Bangladesh?

The Modi government has dreamt big and its invitation to Bangladesh is a part of the strategy. But where does Bangladesh fit in? Why now, 18 summits after the formation of the G20? The answer lies in Bangladesh’s exponential economic growth, as well as its physical location. 

Bangladesh was the 35th largest economy in 2022, with a GDP size of $460 billion. Its economy has grown 5–7% each year over the last decade (with the exception of 2020, the year of the Covid pandemic). PwC projects Bangladesh be the 23rd-largest economy by 2050. Bangladesh has passed up its larger neighbor India in many social and economic indicators. It is no tiny nation, either; with a population of 160 million people and a rapidly developing economy, Bangladesh is a potential golden goose.

Bangladesh has emerged as a regional hub for trade. Goods from China, Myanmar and elsewhere make their way from Bangladeshi ports to Nepal and Bhutan by land through India. So, investing in Bangladesh is in India’s interest to prevent China from instead consolidating influence in the region. If India is to project power globally, it must secure its own backyard by keeping its neighbors close.

In March, India and Bangladesh inaugurated the project to build the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which will carry diesel fuel from a hub in Siliguri, India, to Parbatipur, Bangladesh. Along with Japan, the two countries held a meeting this April to discuss developing physical links between Bangladesh and Northeast India, which is landlocked and largely separated from the rest of India by Bangladesh.

Given both the lucrative opportunities for development and the increasing attention paid to the Indo-Pacific region by powers like China and the US, it is in India’s best interest to adopt a “good neighbor policy” towards Bangladesh.

Not only India has its eye on Bangladesh

Where India sees Bangladesh as both an economic and a strategic investment, other major powers have their own goals with Dhaka. 

China wants Bangladesh to be a part of its expansionist string of pearls. Beijing has successfully enrolled Bangladesh into its Belt and Road Initiative. China’s non-interference policy and Bangladesh’s non-alignment policy have kept their relationship smooth. Beijing’s massive investment in Bangladesh, its extension of duty-free access to most goods from Bangladesh, the countries’ growing trade and their political collaboration on the Rohingya issue have helped bring Bangladesh closer to China.

The cooperation of countries like Bangladesh can help China both to extend its influence in South and Southeast Asia and create alternate routes to the Strait of Malacca, a choke point that is currently a major vulnerability for China.

The US has also shown a keen interest in Bangladesh, but its policies are complicated by Washington’s ever-consistent need to interfere in the internal matters of others. On one hand, the US wants Bangladesh to join the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to restrain China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. On the other hand, has targeted Dhaka with accusations about the security of its democracy. The growing frustration caused by incidents like this is pushing Bangladesh more towards China and India. Still, Bangladesh has not formally chosen sides yet.

That is plenty enough reason for the G20 to want Bangladesh at the table. As former colonies are rising as alternatives to the old powers, Bangladesh, like the rest of the Global South, finally has an opportunity to be a player instead of a pawn in the game. Dhaka must continue what it has started, build strong infrastructure, alleviate poverty and cautiously steer through the multilateral platforms like G20 to keep a good number of friends close. If Bangladesh plays its position well, it can be a real factor in the power politics of the world.

[Anton Schauble edited this piece.]

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

The post What’s Behind Bangladesh’s Invitation to the G20 Summit? appeared first on Fair Observer.

The IPO outlines 15 objectives for the Indo-Pacific region and “envisions a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific for the shared prosperity for all.”

Since independence in 1971, Bangladesh has adhered to a policy of non-alignment. While the IPO aligns with the broad objectives of the region championed by the United States and its allies, Bangladesh remains resolute in maintaining its neutral stance.

The Indo-Pacific region has its identity not solely because of its geographical boundaries but primarily due to its immense geostrategic importance. The region produces more than 62% of the global GDP and accounts for more than half of the world’s population. 

The region also serves as home to several of the world’s largest economies, including China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It comes as no surprise that the Indo-Pacific has evolved into a significant geopolitical hotspot, with major powers vying for influence and asserting their positions on the region’s order.

The Indo-Pacific strategy emerged as a response to China’s assertive rise in the region, with the United States playing a leading role. The term “Indo-Pacific” was first coined by the late Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. In 2017, US President Donald Trump introduced his “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” plan. President Trump garnered support from key Western allies, including the European Union, India, and Japan, as they recognized the need to counterbalance China’s expanding presence.

Bangladesh has now joined the bandwagon. Its first and foremost objective for the Indo-Pacific is to “strengthen mutual trust and respect, forge partnerships and cooperation, and promote dialogue and understanding with the aim of ensuring peace, prosperity, security and stability for all in the Indo-Pacific.” 

In line with its pledge, Bangladesh aims to actively contribute to peacekeeping, peace-building, and counter-terrorism programs in the region. It also emphasizes the importance of upholding international values and collaborating with other stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific to achieve shared goals.

Maritime freedom of access and movement, and sustainable management of oceans, and seas are also key priorities. Bangladesh adheres to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

In addition, the country aims to promote inclusive societies that embrace a culture of peace, prioritizing the advancement of the “women, peace, and security” agenda. It also advocates for transparent, rules-based multilateral systems that enable inclusive economic growth and development for all stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific.

The country recently unveiled Vision 2041, an ambitious roadmap aimed at uplifting the economic status of the country and improving the living standards of its people through rapid industrialization. Currently, Bangladesh is the 7th most climate-vulnerable country, according to the climate vulnerability index. Bangladesh is keen on proactive engagement in addressing disaster risk reduction, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and other climate change issues. 

Bangladesh has made a deliberate choice to use the term “Indo-Pacific” instead of “Asia-Pacific,” which is favored by Beijing. This reflects the country’s independent stance in regional geopolitics. However, it has avoided including explicit military goals in its strategy, in contrast to other countries like the USA, France, the UK, and Canada. 

Bangladesh’s non-alignment policy is a prudent decision for a small state. Bangladesh has effectively balanced its relationships with the US and China, both of which have been vying for greater influence in South Asia.

Maintaining this balance will be crucial for Bangladesh as it strives to achieve its goals amidst the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region and the emerging multipolar world. The country is bound to find a place in this new world order.

[Naveed Ahsan edited this piece.]

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

The post Bangladesh Unveils its New Indo-Pacific Outlook appeared first on Fair Observer.