Foreign policy and relations

Foreign policy of Bangladesh (aim and objectives),

 Bangladesh-India relation (maritime boundary issue,
enclave and exclave issue, border killing, illegal migration),
 Bangladesh-Myanmar relation (Rohingya issue),
 Bangladesh- Nepal,Bhutan , Sri Lanka and Maldives
relation,
Bangladesh-USA relation,
 Bangladesh- China relation,
Bangladesh- middle east relation,
Bangladesh-EU relation.
 Foreign policy of Bangladesh
(aim and objectives)
Foreign Policy of Bangladesh consists of self-
interest strategies chosen by the Constitution
of the country to safeguard its national
interests and to achieve goals within its
international relations milieu. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs formulates and
executes the policies according to the
guidance from the relevant section of the
Constitution of Banglades
Constitutional provisions:
• The fundamental Foreign Policies of
Bangladesh originate from the article no. 25 of
the Constitution of Bangladesh.
• The State shall base its international relations
on the principles of respect for national
sovereignty and equality,
• non-interference in the internal affairs of
other countries,
• peaceful settlements of international disputes.
• And respect for international law and the
principles enunciated in the United Nations
Charter, and on the basis of those principles shall-
• Strive for the renunciation of the use of force in
international relations and for general and
complete disarmament;
• Uphold the right of every people freely to
determine and build up its own social, economic
and political system by ways and means of its
own free choice; and
• Support oppressed peoples throughout the world
waging a just struggle against imperialism,
colonialism or racialism.
Aim Objectives of foreign policy of
Bangladesh :
• The major objectives of foreign policy of
Bangladesh may be summed up as follows:
Self-preservation:
• self-preservation is the most vital interest of
Bangladesh. A state self-preservation refers to
the maintain of its sovereignty political
independence and territorial integrity.
• Its is inexorably linked with the protection of
national security.
Economic advancement:
• The next objective of the foreign policy of
Bangladesh is economic advancement.
Bangladesh is a poor country but it has the
potential of becoming of becoming rich if it
can exploit and utilize its vast reserve of
resources.
• It will require ceaseless effort on the part of
the national policy makers to undertake the
task of promoting economic development.
• The cause of our economic advancement would be
better served through the procurement of critical
raw materials and other goods as well as obtaining
favorable foreign makers for our export items.
 Safeguarding as well as augmenting national
power:
• Another major objective of the foreign policy of
Bangladesh is the safeguarding as well as
augmenting our national power.
• National power here refers to the total strength of
the country, which play an important role in
pursuing its foreign policy.
• It is vital for Bangladesh to exercise full control
over its total resource as well as to deny any
foreign country any clime to any resource in
the territorial waters.
• It is the constant endeavourer of our national
policy makes to safeguard its national power
and if possible to augment it whenever
opportunities arises.
Ideology:
• Every modern state follows some ideology or
at lest has commitment to any major ideology
prevalent in the contemporary world.
• Bangladesh for its parts follows neither
capitalist nor socialist ideology, rather she
identified it self with the majority if Afro-Asian
countries in the following non-aligned course
of its foreign policy.
• It is the persistence Endeavour of Bangladesh to
see that unity among the non-aligned countries is
maintained and movement get stronger day to day.
National prestige:
• No country for all that can remain happy with its
self-preservation and economic advancement only.
• Bangladesh must uphold its own prestige and a
favorable image in the world which is possible only
through achieving economic development and
thus standing on its own feet as a self respecting
nation.
 Bangladesh–India relations:
• Bangladesh and India are South Asian neighbors. The
relations between the two countries have usually been
friendly, although sometimes there are border
disputes. They are common members of
SAARC,BIMSTIC, IORA and Commonwealth.
• India's links with Bangladesh are civilisational, cultural,
social, and economic. There is much that unites the
two countries – a shared history and common heritage,
linguistic and cultural ties, passion for music, literature
and the arts. Also, Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian
Polymath created the national anthems of both
Bangladesh and India in 1905 and 1911 respectively.
• The two nations were strong allies during the
Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. From the mid-1970s,
however, relations worsened because Bangladesh developed
closer ties with Islamic nations, participated in the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, and increased
emphasis on Islamic identity over the country's ethnolinguistic
roots. The two countries developed different Cold War alliances
in the 1980s, which further chilled bilateral relations.

• With the onset of economic liberalization in South Asia, they

forged greater bilateral engagement and trade. The historic
Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was concluded in 1996. India and
Bangladesh are close strategic partners in counter-terrorism.
They are also the largest trading partners in South Asia.
• The two countries share many cultural ties. In
particular, Bangladesh and the east Indian
state of West Bengal are Bengali-speaking.
• Bangladesh has a High Commission in New
Delhi with Deputy and Assistant High
Commissions in Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati
and Agartala.
• India has a High Commission in Dhaka with
Assistant High Commissions in Khulna,
Rajshahi and Chittagong
Border killings of Bangladeshi civilians
• Deaths of Bangladeshi citizens in the
Indo-Bangladesh border became one of the
embarrassments between the two nation's
bilateral relations in recent years.
• The so-called ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy by India's
Border Security Forces (BSF) that according to
Human Rights Watch killed nearly 1,000
Bangladeshis between 2001 and 2011 has
remained at the core of the talks between
Bangladeshi and Indian officials visiting each
other.
• While anger grew in Bangladesh because of the
continued BSF shootings and subsequent
deaths, Indian officials argue that heightened
security has followed the increasing flow of
illegal migrations into India as well as continued
misuse of the border by illicit traders.

• The Bangladeshi deaths caused by BSF shootings at

the border became subject to a so-called cyber war
between the hackers of the two countries that took
the websites of BSF, National Informatics Centre
and Trinamool Congress as victims.
• The Government of Bangladesh was found to
comment on the issue condemning the cyber
attacks on Indian websites.
• Border police often shoots to kill any illegal
immigrants crossing the border.
Human Rights Watch estimates say 1,000
people were killed in the area between 2001
and 2011 by Indian border security force BSF.
Recent developments:
• In September 2011, the two countries signed a
major accord on border demarcation to end the
4-decade old disputes over boundaries. This
came to be known as the Tin Bigha corridor.
India also granted 24-hour access to
Bangladeshi citizens in the Tin Bigha Corridor.
• The agreement included exchange of adversely
held enclaves, involving 51,000 people spread
over 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51
Bangladeshi enclaves in India. The total land
involved is reportedly 7000 acres.
• In 2012, Bangladesh allowed India's
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to ferry heavy
machinery, turbines and cargo through Ashuganj for
Palatana Power project in southern Tripura.

• From November 2013,

• A Wagah Border-like ceremony is being organized at
Petrapole (in West Bengal, India) - Benapole
(Bangladesh) border checkpoint.
• The ceremony which includes parades, march-past and
lowering of the national flag of both the countries is
now a daily routine, at sundown, on the eastern border.
• The relations between the countries are
definitely moving in positive direction.
• During Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Mode's state visit to Bangladesh during June
2015 as many as 22 agreements were signed
by two sides.
• During the visit India extended a US$2 billion
line of credit to Bangladesh & pledged US$5
billion worth of investments.
• In 2018, the leaders of both the countries
inaugurated the 130 km long Bangladesh-India
Friendship pipeline to supply 4 lakh metric
tonne of diesel to Bangladesh.

• In September 2018, the Bangladesh cabinet

approved the draft of a proposed agreement
with India to allow it to use the Chittagong
and Mongla sea ports for transporting goods
to and from its land-locked northeastern
states.
Defense relations:
• India and Bangladesh's Security Relations span
since a long time, excepting at certain years
following the change of the ruling party in
Bangladesh changed the attitude of the relations.
But, mostly it has inherited a deep legacy of
establishing and training of the Mukti Bahini
during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
• Thus, since then a long relation has co-existed in
this particular field of cooperation between the
two countries.
• During Sheikh Hasina's four-day visit to New Delhi
in April 2017, Bangladesh and India signed two
defence agreements, the first such agreements
between India and any of its neighbors.

• Under the agreements, the militaries of the two

countries will conduct joint exercises and training.
• India will help Bangladesh set up manufacturing
and service centers for defence platforms that
both countries possess with the aim of achieving
self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing in
Bangladesh.
• And will also provide the Bangladesh military with
expert training, and technical and logistic support.

• India also extended its first ever defence-related line

of credit to a neighboring country, by providing
Bangladesh with $500 million to purchase defence
equipment.
• Also, the militaries of the two countries have played
quite an extensive role in taking up common issues to
enhance and conduct training programmes to deal
with counter terrorism issues, natural disasters,
ensure Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Reliefs
(HADR). Very, recent in March 2019,
• Indian Army's current Chief of Staff, then as GOC-in-C
of the Eastern Army Command, General M.M.
Naravane visited to the
Chief of Army Staff, of Bangladesh ,
General Aziz Ahmed to hold talks related to boosting
of Intelligence sharing between the 2 countries along
with developing other areas of defence cooperation.
• The visit has most importantly come up at the time,
when Myanmar decided to take strong actions in
order to act against the operating insurgent groups
which were operating foiling up terrorist activities on
both the sides of India and Myanmar.
• During the visit made by Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina in 2017, to New Delhi, the two countries had
signed a series of Memorandum of Understandings
(MoUs) in areas of Defence cooperation, which
focused on certain areas, such as;

• For developing a framework for defence

cooperation.
• To initiate and enhance cooperation for comparative
and joint initiatives of education in the area of Field
Strategy and Study of Military Operations, between
the Indian Defence Services Staff College and
Dhaka's Defence Services and Staff College.
• Increasing the cooperation for field and
strategic studies between India's Defence Staff
College and Bangladesh's National Defence
College.
• Extending a line of credit of worth US$ 500
Millions for conducing the purchase of
Defence Equipment.
• Increasing cooperation between the Coast
Guards of India and Bangladesh
 Border Security Management between the two
countries:
• During the state visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to
New Delhi in 2019, had a talk with
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he appreciated the
zero-tolerance policy of the Government of Bangladesh's
resolute effort towards ensuring peace, security and
stability in the entire region.
• August 2019, whereby he agreed for a closer cooperation
to fight against extremist radical groups, terrorist
organisations, smuggling of arms, drugs and fake currency
and also organized crime as a shared priority
Fight against Counter Terrorism:
• Fighting out counter terror operations is an
important aspect that revolves around within
the relations of India and Bangladesh.
• Since, both countries have been victims of
terror attacks and still keeps on facing
continuous security threats, where as India is a
victim of Cross-border terrorism from terrorist
groups.
• But these groups have made their way to India
through considering Bangladesh as a transit
point to infiltrate into India.
• Still, to address the grave of these threats
effectively, there are still needs for greater
synergy, coordination and cooperation
between the agencies.
• Joint-training and exercises, inducing greater
interaction and also developing a strong
understanding among the two Armed forces
of the two countries.
Development cooperation:
• India is very active in development activity in
Bangladesh.
• India has recently given several loans to
Bangladesh. It gave $750 million for
developing Bangladesh infrastructure in 2011.
• In 2014 India extended a $1 billion soft loan
for infrastructure development.
Lines of credit
• $862 million was given to buy equipment and
services from Indian entities such as BHEL,
RITES, small and medium enterprises.
Small development projects
• India announced a grant of nearly $10 million
to Bangladesh for the implementation of
various small development projects and also
assured it to address trade imbalance issues.
Health
• India and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of
understanding for cooperation in the fields of
health and medical sciences that will include
joint research in health and exchange of doctors
and health professionals.
• The MoU is aimed at promoting cooperation
between the two countries in the fields of
health and medical sciences through exchange
of scientific materials and information and joint
collaboration in research in medical science.
Scholarships:
• Every year 200 Bangladeshi students receive
ICCR scholarships.
• India has offered scholarships for meritorious
Bangladeshi under and post graduate students
and PhD researchers.
• To undertake studies in traditional systems of
medicines like Ayurveda, Unani and
Homeopathy, according to Indian High
Commission in Dhaka.
Trade and investment:
• Bangladesh Cabinet has approved a revised trade
deal with India under which the two nations would
be able to use each other's land and water routes
for sending goods to a third country, removing a
long-standing barrier in regional trade.
• Under the deal India would also be able to send
goods to Myanmar through Bangladesh. It
incorporated a provision that the deal would be
renewed automatically after five years if neither of
the countries did not have any objection.
 Bangladesh–Myanmar relations
• The Rohingya crisis:

 Violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar’s north-

western Rakhine state has generated a massive
influx of refugees to Bangladesh that will test
bilateral relations.
 Between August and November 2017, the
Myanmar military’s ‘clearance operations’ forced
more than 622,000 Rohingya to cross the border
into neighboring Bangladesh.
 The Bangladesh government has faced the
Rohingya crisis since Bangladesh’s
independence.
 In the 1970s, an anti-insurgency campaign of
Myanmar’s then military government in
Rakhine state saw widespread violations of
human rights and brutal acts against the
Muslim-minority Rohingya.
 Nearly 300,000 Rohingyas were forced to
cross the border at that time.
 During 1991–92, a second wave of over
250,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh to
escape the ongoing military crackdown.
 Since the 1970s, more than one million
Rohingya have taken refuge in Bangladesh.
 The influx of refugees has been continuous,
even as relations between Bangladesh and
Myanmar have undergone frequent ups and
downs.
 Uncertainties over the statelessness of the
Rohingya mean the international community
has not seriously considered humanitarian
intervention.
 International relief agencies such as the
UNHCR, World Food Programme and various
NGOs are involved in the provision of aid to
Rohingya refugees.
 But the Rohingya crisis is fundamentally a
human security issue (though encompassing
non-traditional security concerns).
 The UN, ASEAN, Organization of Islamic
Cooperation and other key players such as the
United States, China, India and Russia must —
in keeping with their own responsibility to
protect — place pressure on Myanmar’s
government to stop these mass atrocities.
 But the Rohingya are stateless and not
protected by any government.
 Resolving the Rohingya crisis will require
coordinated local, regional and international
diplomacy to urge the Myanmar government to
cease its atrocities against minorities.
 The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to
A post of the Bangladesh–India border India (centre) with Indian Navy officials.
 Bangladesh- Nepal,Bhutan , Sri Lanka and
Maldives relation,
• Bangladesh- Nepal Relations:
• The bilateral relations between the
People's Republic of Bangladesh and the
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal have been progressive
since the foundation of Bangladesh in 1971.
• The two nations are separated by the "Siliguri Corridor" - a
small stretch of territory of the Indian state of West Bengal lies
between southern Nepal and northern Bangladesh.
• Nepal and Bangladesh work closely on issues of common
interests and share similar views at various regional and
international forums, including SAARC, BIMSTEC and the United
Nations.
• Although it maintained a neutral stance on the
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the then-Kingdom of
Nepal became one of the first nations to recognise
Bangladesh, on January 16, 1972; in retaliation,
Pakistan broke off relations with Nepal.
• Nepal and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
established diplomatic relations on 08 April 1972.
The relations between the two countries are
based on goodwill, mutual understanding and
cooperation. Nepal was the 7th country to extend
recognition to Bangladesh by establishing
diplomatic relations as early as 1972.
• Bilateral trade:
• Despite progress in bilateral ties, the volume
of trade between the two countries stands at
less than $60 million per year.
• In 2008–09, Bangladesh's exports to Nepal
were worth $6.7 million; its major exports
include pharmaceuticals, garments, plastics,
handicrafts and other goods.
• Nepal exported $53 million worth of goods,
which are largely agricultural produce such as
pulses, lentils, rice and wheat.
• Transit route:
• In 1998, the Phulbari treaty between India and
Bangladesh allowed Nepalese goods access to
Bangladesh through a transit route in India.
• In 2010, a joint communique issued by the
Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh and
the Bangladeshi Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina Wajed assured giving Nepal and
Bhutan access to the Bangladeshi ports.
• The commerce secretaries of both countries were
scheduled to meet and finalise details for an
extensive transit agreement.
 • Bangladesh-Bhutan Relations:
• Bangladesh–Bhutan relations are the bilateral
relations between Bangladesh and Bhutan. The
King of Bhutan was the first world leader to
announce an official recognition of Bangladesh's
independence on 6 December 1971.
• The leadership of both countries have since
exchanged many state visits. In 2016, the
President of Bangladesh addressed the
Parliament of Bhutan.On 6 December 2020, both
countries signed a Preferential Trade Agreement
(PTA) with provisions for free trade in certain
goods.
• The signing of the PTA was witnessed by the
Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the
Prime Minister of Bhutan.
• Both countries are founding members of
SAARC. The two states cooperate within the
framework of the UN and BIMSTEC. Both
countries are part of the
Climate Vulnerable Forum. Bhutan's
upper house of parliament has voted to not
ratify a regional transport pact involving India,
Nepal and Bangladesh.
• Ancient cities in Bangladesh traded with Himalayan states
. The fort city of Bhitagarh in north Bengal was a center of
trade with Bhutan. Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan and
Tibet was influenced by the Pala Empire of Bengal.
• On 6 December 1971, in one of its first assertive acts in
foreign policy, Bhutan announced its recognition of East
Pakistan as an independent Bangladesh.
• The Queen Mother of Bhutan visited Bangladesh in 2016
during which she toured facilities of BRAC and
pharmaceutical, textile and ceramic companies.
• Lotay Tshering, an alumnus of Bangladeshi universities,
became Bhutan's premier in 2018. Bangladesh sent
emergency medicine supplies to Bhutan during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
• Economic ties:
• Bangladesh is the largest buyer of Bhutanese apples
and oranges. The volume of bilateral trade between
the two countries stood at $57.90 million in fiscal
year (FY) 2018–19.
• Bhutan exports chemicals, pulp, boulders, fruits and
vegetables to Bangladesh. Bhutan imports garments,
food products, plastics, pharmaceuticals, furniture
and electrical products from Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh is exploring investments in Bhutan's
hydropower sector as of 2020. Plans include a joint
Indo-Bangladeshi investment of US$1.25 billion for
Bhutan's 1,125-MW Dorjilung hydropower plant.
 • Bangladesh-Sri Lanka :
• Bangladesh – Sri Lanka relations refers to the
bilateral relations between the
People's Republic of Bangladesh and the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
• Relations have been generally friendly due to
trade and investments. Bangladesh also hosts
a number of Sri Lankan medical students and
cricket as a form of friendly communications
between their people.
• During the Bangladesh Liberation War, Sri Lanka
saw the partition of Pakistan as an example for
themselves and feared India might use its enhanced
power against them in the future.
• Despite the left wing government of
Sirimavo Bandaranaike following a neutral non-
aligned foreign policy, Sri Lanka assisted Pakistan in
the war.
• As Pakistani aircraft could not fly over Indian
territory, they took a longer route around India and
stopped at Bandaranaike Airport in Katunayake
where they were refuelled before flying to
East Pakistan
• In August 2008, both Heads of States discussed the
implementation of new air links in hope of increasing
trade, investment and stronger cultural links.
• Sri Lanka's current investments have been in
Bangladesh's garment and banking sector and expect
to diversify into different areas.Bangladesh also hosts
a number of Sri Lankan medical students and cricket
as a form of friendly communications between their
people.

• In 2015, Sri Lanka donates 30 ‘Samadhi

Buddha Statues’ to reconstructed and renovated
temples after 2012 Ramu violence.
• Military:
• There has been discussion to increase bilateral relations,
cooperation between the two navies and sending
Sri Lankan Naval personnel to study in Bangladesh.
Recently many Bangladesh Navy ships visited Sri Lanka
for goodwill visits.
• Economy
• The Bangladesh-Sri Lanka joint working group was
formed in 2013 to increase trade. The two countries
have agreed to sign a shipping agreement. Several Sri
Lankan conglomerates like LAUGFS Holdings have
footprint in Bangladesh. In 2013 Bilateral trade between
the two countries crossed the 100 million dollar mark.
 • Bangladesh- Maldives relations:
• Maldives and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations on
22 September 1978. Maldives opened its High Commission
in Bangladesh in 2008. Rear Admiral Akhtar Habib is the
Bangladeshi ambassador to the Maldives.
• Maldives closed its High Commission in Dhaka in March 2014
after the foreign ministry budget was slashed by 40 percent.
• Bangladesh offered to pay rent for embassy premises among
other local costs but was refused "politely" by Maldives.
• In December 2014 Bangladesh sent 100 thousand litre of
water after Maldives sole water desalination plant stopped
working after catching fire.
• Maldives announced its intention to reopen the High
Commission in Dhaka in July 2015..
• Economic relations:
• Maldives has a significant Bangladeshi migrant worker population
and has encouraged the migration of Bangladeshi workers.
• Bangladesh has a High Commission in Maldives.Maldivian
government regularized the immigration status of more than 16
thousand Bangladeshi migrants on 2009. In 2011 Bangladesh
exported goods worth US$0.72 million and imported US$1.46
million from Maldives.
• Official estimated suggest there are 70 to 80 thousand
Bangladeshis in Maldives. On 30 March 2015 Bangladeshi
expatriate community held a protest outside the Bangladesh
embassy to protest against the death of two Bangladeshi
expatriates.
• Maldivian government warned that the protesters risked losing
their visas. Ahmed Tholal, the Vice President of Human Rights
Commission in Maldives, called the government move
unconstitutional.Bangladesh also exports pharmaceutical medicine
to Maldives
 • Bangladesh – USA Rlations
• Bangladesh–United States relations are the
current and historical relations between Bangladesh
and the United States.
• Bangladesh has an embassy in Washington D.C. and
consulates in New York City and Los Angeles.
• The United States has an embassy in Dhaka, with
information centers in Chittagong, Jessore, Rajshahi
and Sylhet.
• The U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh also operates the
Archer K Blood American Library and the Edward M
Kennedy Centre in Dhaka. Both countries are
members of the United Nations.
• Relations Background:
• The United States established a consulate general in
Dacca on 29 August 1949, following the
partition of India and east Bengal becoming the eastern
wing of the Dominion of Pakistan.
• The U. S. Congress imposed an arms embargo on
Pakistan; but despite that, the Nixon White House sent
secret arms shipments to the junta. When India
intervened in December 1971, the White House
dispatched an aircraft carrier to the Bay on Bengal.
• After the liberation of Bangladesh in December 1971
and the withdrawal of Indian troops in March 1972, the
United States formally recognized the newly
independent country on April 4, 1972 and pledged
US$300 million in aid
• Relations between Bangladesh and the American-
led Western world dramatically improved in the late
1970s, when President Ziaur Rahman reversed the
socialist policies of the first post-independence
government and restored free markets.
• In 1983, military ruler Lieutenant General
Hussain Muhammad Ershad was invited to the White
House for talks with President Ronald Reagan
.President Reagan praised Dhaka for its role in the
Cold War, stating "the United States wishes to
applaud Bangladesh, a member of the nonaligned
movement, for its constructive approach to issues of
regional and global concern.
• Present relations:
• Bill Clinton with Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, 2000
• Bill Clinton with Khaleda Zia in Dhaka, 2000
• Bangladesh is a major American ally in South Asia. The
two countries have extensive cooperation on matters
of regional and global security, counter terrorism and
climate change. Bangladesh has been a key participant
in the Obama administration's main
international development initiatives, including food
security, healthcare and the environment
• U.S. policy towards Bangladesh emphasizes political
stability, human rights and democracy. The U.S. also
views Bangladesh as a moderate Muslim ally among
Islamic countries.
• Although relations are traditionally regarded as
excellent,the United States has often been strongly
critical of the political administration in Bangladesh for
lack of respect of the rule of law, suppressing
freedom of the press and human rights abuses by
security forces, notably the Rapid Action Battalion.
• Following a general election boycotted by the main
opposition party in 2014, the U.S. gave a cold shoulder to
the Bangladeshi government.
• According to American diplomats, U.S. policy in
Bangladesh features the "three Ds", meaning Democracy,
Development and Denial of space for terrorism.
• As of 2016, Bangladesh is the largest recipient of U.S.
assistance in Asia outside Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Trade and investment
• The United States is the largest export market for
Bangladesh. The U.S. is also one of the largest sources
of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh. The biggest
American investment in the country are the operations
of Chevron, which produces 50% of Bangladesh's
natural gas.
• Bilateral trade in 2014 stood at US$6 billion. The main
American exports to Bangladesh are agricultural
products (soybeans, cotton, wheat, dairy), aircraft,
machinery, engines, and iron and steel products.
American imports from Bangladesh include apparel,
footwear, and textile products; toys, games and sporting
goods; shrimp and prawns; and agricultural products.
• In June 2013, following the
2013 Savar building collapse that led to over 1,000
deaths, the United States suspended a preferential
trade agreement with Bangladesh that allowed for
duty-free access to the US market over poor safety
standards.
• The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry then issued a
statement that read: "It cannot be more shocking for
the factory workers of Bangladesh that the decision
to suspend Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
comes at a time when the government of
Bangladesh has taken concrete and visible measures
to improve factory safety and protect workers' rights.
• Defense cooperation
• The United States is one of Bangladesh's principal
strategic military allies. American defense cooperation is
seen as a counterweight to the regional powers India and
Russia. Joint exercises are held on a regular basis,
particularly in the Bay of Bengal.
• The U.S. Pacific Command maintains regular
engagements with the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The
U.S. has also helped set up the elite SWADS marine unit
in the Bangladesh Navy, which is modeled on American
and South Korean special forces.
• Bangladesh is the world's largest contributor to
UN peacekeeping. The United States has been a vital
supporter of Bangladeshi peacekeeping engagements
• Education and culture
• There were 7,496 Bangladeshi students in U.S.
universities in 2018, making Bangladesh 24th in the world
among countries sending students to USA, and 10th in
the world for sending Graduate level students.
• The American Embassy in Bangladesh operates and
supports several Education Consultancy Centers in Dhaka,
Chittagong, Sylhet and Rajshahi. Besides American Center
, US Embassy also support the Edward M. Kennedy Center
for Public Service & Arts and operates Archer K. Blood
Library in Dhaka.
• On the cultural front, Sisimpur, a USAID-funded
Bangladeshi version of Sesame Street, is the most
watched children's program on Bangladeshi television.
• Disaster management:
• The United States has assisted Bangladesh during cyclone
relief operations in 1991 and 2007.Operation Sea Angel One
in 1991 and Operation Sea Angel Two in 2007 saw
US Marines joining Bangladeshi troops in providing relief to
thousands of people in southern Bangladesh who suffered as
a result of the 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone and Cyclone Sidr.
• Bangladeshi diaspora in the U.S.:
• The US-Bangladesh relationship is strengthened by the
Bangladeshi American community. Fazlur Rahman Khan
designed the United States's tallest tower in Chicago.
Sal Khan is a prominent educationist. Hansen Clarke was the
first U.S. congressman of Bangladeshi origin.
M. Osman Siddique served as US Ambassador to Fiji
 Bangladesh- China relation,
• Bangladesh–China relations are the bilateral
relations of Bangladesh and China. Bangladesh has
an embassy in Beijing and consulates in Hong Kong
and Kunming.
• China has an embassy in Dhaka. Both countries are
members of the BCIM Forum (Bangladesh-China-
India-Myanmar Forum for Regional Cooperation).
According to Chinese government designations,
Bangladesh and China are "strategic partnership of
cooperation"
• Background:
• When the Bangladesh War of Independence broke out in
1971, complex geopolitical rivalries erupted in South
Asia.
• The Bangladeshis elicited the help of India in their
freedom struggle. China had earlier fought a war with
India in 1962 and became an ally of Pakistan.
• Crucially, it was using Pakistan as a conduit for
rapprochement with Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger
in the United States. The PRC also replaced
Taiwan (Republic of China) as a permanent member of
UN Security Council in 1971.
• Its first veto was used to support Pakistan during the
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
• In the early years of Bangladesh's independence,
Dhaka was also close to the Soviet Union, which
was a rival of China following the Sino-Soviet
split. Despite the support of most countries in
the world, Bangladesh's UN membership was
vetoed by China until 1974.
• The situation dramatically changed after
military coups in Bangladesh began in 1975,
causing Bangladesh to distance itself from the
Indo-Soviet Cold War axis in South Asia.
• China and Bangladesh established diplomatic
relations in January 1976.
• President Ziaur Rahman, who restored
free markets in Bangladesh, visited Beijing and the
laid the groundwork for the relationship; while
numerous Chinese leaders visited Dhaka in the late
1970s.
• On 4 October 2000, the Government of
Bangladesh issued a postal stamp marking the 25th
anniversary of the establishment of Bangladesh-
China diplomatic relations.
• In 2002, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made an
official visit to Bangladesh and both countries
declared 2005 as the "Bangladesh-China
Friendship Year.
• Economic relations
• The Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka was
built with Chinese assistance
• Shah Amanat Bridge in Chittagong is one of many funded by
Chinese development assistance in Bangladesh
• As a part of a strengthened bilateral trade and investment
relationship, China has given Duty-Free (DF) access to 97 percent
of Bangladeshi products which came into force from 1st July 2020
• . According to the notice of the Tariff Commission of the State
Council of China on 16th June 2020, zero-tariff has been applied to
8,256 products originating from Bangladesh among the total 8,549
products recognized in the Chinese tariff-line.
• Utilizing this Duty Free (DF) facility, Bangladesh can seize greater
market share as this DF Facility covers
Bangladesh-originating 132 knitwear items and 117 woven items
at HS Code- 8 Digit Level, at which segment of items
• . Bangladesh is already highly competitive exporting to
China. Bangladesh-China bilateral trade is highly tilted in
favour of Beijing,and Bangladesh's bilateral trade deficit
with China has increased 1600 % in last 20 years (c.
2019). 25% of Bangladesh's total imports are from
China, in 2018-19 China's export to Bangladesh was
US$13.6 billion whereas Bangladesh's export to China
was only $0.56 billion. China has given several loans to
Bangladesh.
• China's mainly imports raw materials from Bangladesh
like leather, cotton textiles, fish, etc. China's major
exports to Bangladesh include textiles, machinery and
electronic products, cement, fertiliser, tyre, raw silk,
maize, etc.
• Defense cooperation:
• The Bangladesh Army has been equipped with Chinese
tanks, its navy has Chinese frigates and missile boats and
the Bangladesh Air Force flies Chinese fighter jets. In
2002, China and Bangladesh signed a "Defence
Cooperation Agreement" which covers military training
and defence production.
• In 2006, a Chinese report to the United Nations revealed
that Dhaka is emerging as a major buyer of Chinese-
made weapons.
• China sold 65 large calibre artillery systems, 16 combat
aircraft and 114 missile and related equipment to
Bangladesh in 2006. Bangladesh also bought roughly 200
small arms and regular artillery pieces from China.
• In 2008, Bangladesh set up an anti-ship missile launch pad
near the Chittagong Port with assistance from China.
• Water security: River water sharing:
• Bangladesh and India have signaled concerns over Chinese
plans to dam and divert water from the Brahmaputra River in
Tibet.
• Covid-19 pandemic:
• In August 2020, Bangladesh approved the final stage testing of
the Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech Ltd's Covid-
19 vaccine. On 4 October 2020, it was reported that Sinovac
had sought Bangladesh's co-financing of the trials.
• However, on 13 October 2020, the trials were reported to be
uncertain after Bangladesh refused to co-fund the vaccine,
saying that at the time of seeking approval, Sinovac had said
they would run the trials on their own funds and had also
promised to provide 100,000 free doses
 • Bangladesh Middle East Relations:
• The foreign relations share the Bangladeshi government's
policies in its external relations with the international
community. The country pursues a moderate
foreign policy that places heavy reliance on multinational
diplomacy, especially at the United Nations and
World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Since independence in 1971, the country has stressed its
principle of "Friendship towards all, malice towards none"
in dictating its diplomacy. As a member of the
Non-Aligned Movement, Bangladesh has tended to not
take sides with major powers. Since the end of the
Cold War, the country has pursued better relations with
regional neighbours.
• Inspired by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's vision for a
Switzerland of the East, the Bangladesh
government has begun to translate the ideal into a
foreign policy that pursues regional economic
integration in South Asia and aims to establish
Bangladesh as a regional hub of transit trade in
Asia.
• In the present, Bangladesh maintains relations to
the Middle East through many areas such as
commerce, history, military and most importantly
religious ties which enabled the two to co-operate
more easily then compared to their Western or
Far Eastern partners.
• During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the majority of
conservative Arab nations were against Bangladeshi liberation
because India- a non-Muslim nation was supporting break up of a
Muslim country (Pakistan). Non-Arab Muslim nations such as
Indonesia and Turkey established relations quickly.
• In the present, Bangladesh maintains relations to the Middle East
through many areas such as commerce, history, military and most
importantly religious ties which enabled the two to co-operate
more easily then compared to their Western or Far Eastern
partners.
• Bangladesh supplies over 1 million guest workers to Saudi
Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and other Gulf countries. In
turn, most of Bangladesh's oil is imported from this region.
• Islamic countries and charities provide economic aid usually to
advance the Islamic agenda, including funding mosques and
madrassas.
• Out of the 3,975,550 Bangladeshis abroad
approximately 2,820,000 live within the Middle
East.0.075% of the Middle East population, with
half of them in Saudi arabia and quarter of them
in the United Arab Emirates.
• Bangladesh who came to the Middle East are
primarily guest workers or day
labourers.Bangladesh is one of the largest labour
suppliers to Saudi Arabia.
• In 2007 Bangladeshi workers obtained the biggest
share,with 23.50% of the 1.5 million Saudi Arabia
visas issued.
• As of December 2016 there are an estimated
700,000 thousand Bangladeshi migrants in
UAE. Trade between the Bangladesh and UAE
stood at 967 million dollar in the 2012-2013
period. UAE has investments of 2.9 billion
dollar in Bangladesh.
 • Bangladesh EU Relations:
• Bangladesh–European Union relations relate to the
foreign relationship between Bangladesh and
European Union. The EU is the largest export
destination of Bangladesh. The present ambassador of
the EU to Bangladesh is Rensje Teerink.
• In 2016 the Bangladesh-EU Dialogue on Migration
Management was held in Meghna state guest house in
Dhaka. The dialogue focused on irregular migrations
and ways to manage it and raise awareness about it in
Bangladesh.
• The EU has expressed its disappointment over new
regulations concerning NGOs in 2016
• Economic relations:
• The European Union is Bangladesh's largest trading
parting accounting for 24 percent Bangladesh's total
trade. Bangladesh in the unions 35 largest trading
partner. Clothing makes 90 percent of all export
from Bangladesh to the EU.
• Cultural relations:
• The EU has campaigned to improve labor conditions,
democracy and freedom of expression in Bangladesh.
In 2013 Bangladesh signed the Sustainability
compact with the EU to strengthen labor conditions
in the country. The EU has also promoted the
abolition of the death penalty in Bangladesh
THANK YOU VERY MUCH