Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Aleksandr Mantytsky, has reaffirmed Russia’s stance of non-interference and expressed his hope that the forthcoming national elections in Bangladesh will be conducted in a free and fair manner, reflecting the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
“In line with our policy, we refrain from making comments on the internal affairs of your country,” he stated. The Ambassador also mentioned the recently held elections in Gazipur as a point of reference.
What Mantytsky said in all?
Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Aleksandr Mantytsky, has stated that the upcoming national election in Bangladesh will be determined by the people of the country themselves. He emphasized that the election is an internal matter for Bangladesh, and Russia will not interfere. Referring to the recently held local elections in Gazipur, he expressed his belief that the upcoming parliamentary elections will also be acceptable to all.
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Addressing journalists at the Chattogram Press Club on Thursday, the Ambassador said, “Due to Russia’s involvement in the ongoing economic war against Western countries, many countries, including Bangladesh, are facing challenges in trade and economic sectors. The global food and energy security is being affected.”
Regarding the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on Russia’s assistance to Bangladesh’s nuclear power project, the Ambassador stated, “According to the predetermined schedule, Russia will start supplying nuclear energy from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in October of the current year. Bangladesh’s national grid will receive 2.4 gigawatts of electricity from the established Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The installation of both reactors and pressure vessels of this plant was completed in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.”
Montytsky further mentioned, “Gazprom, Russia’s leading gas exploration company, has successfully conducted drilling operations in Bangladesh since 2012. The 20th drilling project in Bhola Island has recently been completed. Gazprom is willing to expand its activities in Bangladesh. Russia is committed to ensuring the food security of Bangladesh.”
He also highlighted, “In 2022, Russia’s government and private institutions supplied nearly 920,000 metric tons of wheat, accounting for 42% of Bangladesh’s import. Since 2014, Russia has been one of Bangladesh’s major suppliers of potash fertilizers. Efforts have also been made to increase bilateral trade, with Bangladesh exporting goods to Russia. Recently, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation and Russian company National Group LLC, enabling the export of potatoes and other food items from Bangladesh to Russia.”
In response to the discussion, the Ambassador further highlighted the growing demand for Bangladeshi pharmaceuticals, jute, leather, and marine products in the Russian market, emphasizing the substantial untapped potential for expanding trade in these sectors.
Bangladesh: A battleground for global powers’ quest for dominance
In line with its longstanding foreign policy of “friendship to all and malice to none,” Bangladesh has strived to maintain a neutral stance in the realm of international politics since gaining independence in 1971. However, the growing pressures from major global powers have put this strategy to the test, as Bangladesh finds itself caught in the middle of rivalries among these influential nations.
One of the significant developments occurred in October 2020, when then-U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Stephen E. Biegun, extended an invitation to Bangladesh to join the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad. Recognizing Bangladesh as a crucial partner in the Indo-Pacific region, Biegun emphasised the United States’ commitment to deepening their partnership to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. He further expressed that Bangladesh would be a key focus of their collaborative efforts in the region.
The U.S. initiative to draw Bangladesh into its Indo-Pacific strategy sparked a response from China. In May 2021, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Li Jiming, cautioned that Bangladesh’s relations with China would suffer significant damage if it joined the “small club of four,” referring to the Quad. While China has previously called for Bangladesh to maintain neutrality amidst the major powers, it has also been actively enticing Dhaka to join its Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI).
Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and Russia have escalated concerning Bangladesh. In late December, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticised the U.S. during a routine press briefing in Moscow. She accused the U.S. Ambassador to Dhaka, Peter D. Haas, of persistently attempting to influence domestic processes within Bangladesh. Prior to this statement, the Russian embassy in Dhaka had issued a press release condemning the “hegemonic ambitions” of countries that consider themselves “developed democracies.” The statement further expressed concerns about these nations’ interference in the internal affairs of countries that do not align with their interests.
Russia’s rebuke of the U.S. coincided with Ambassador Haas’s increased engagement in Bangladesh’s domestic politics. During a visit to the Election Commission of Bangladesh, Haas met with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and called for transparent elections in the country. Bangladesh is slated to hold national elections in December of this year, raising concerns due to past instances of significant irregularities during the general elections of 2013 and 2018. There are apprehensions that the ruling Awami League may not ensure a free and fair electoral process.
Peter Hass’ visit toward different party leaders
More recently, Ambassador Haas met with opposition leaders in Bangladesh. In response to Russian criticism regarding U.S. meddling in the country’s domestic politics, the U.S. embassy in Dhaka took to Twitter to reiterate the United States’ stance against interfering in the internal affairs of other nations.
As Bangladesh navigates the intensifying pressures from major powers vying for influence, it faces the challenging task of preserving its foreign policy of neutrality while safeguarding its national interests. The delicate balancing act amidst these rivalries will require deft diplomacy and strategic decision-making to ensure Bangladesh’s continued stability and progress on the global stage.
Renowned scholar of geopolitics, Robert Kaplan, has predicted that the Indian Ocean will become a focal point of global conflicts due to its crucial role as a shipping route for the world economy. The interests and influences of major powers intersect and overlap in the Indian Ocean, making it a vital arena where the 21st century’s global power dynamics will unfold.
As a littoral state in the Indian Ocean, Bangladesh offers a strategic base for major powers to expand their networks in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. China, with its well-known geopolitical interests in the area, has been actively pursuing enhanced presence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, which facilitates trade and connectivity. Beijing’s progress in this regard has been significant, as it conducts a significant portion of its trade with the Gulf and Africa via the Indian Ocean.
In recent times, the United States has shifted its diplomatic focus beyond traditional partners like Pakistan and India to include other South Asian nations such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar. The nature of U.S. engagement in countries like Bangladesh is exemplified by the Burma Act, which grants authorization for the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to carry out activities in Burma and the surrounding region. The act aims to support democracy activists, provide humanitarian assistance, and facilitate reconciliation efforts. Its enactment highlights the approach taken by the United States in its involvement with these nations.
Democracy in concentration of US
Within Bangladesh, the United States has increasingly raised concerns about democracy-related issues. In December 2021, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Bangladesh’s elite paramilitary force, the Rapid Action Battalion, and seven of its current and former officers for human rights violations. This growing focus on democracy issues illustrates the U.S.’s evolving approach towards Bangladesh.
While Bangladesh could potentially play a more assertive role in the rivalries among major powers, various factors limit its capacity to make independent decisions. Internal political frictions, economic crises, legitimacy concerns, and the lack of democratic values and human rights violations have undermined the country’s ability to act freely and rationally.
Bangladesh’s economy heavily relies on the United States, with the latter being the largest market for Bangladeshi goods. Additionally, Bangladesh is one of the largest recipients of U.S. assistance in Asia. On the other hand, China maintains a strong economic relationship with Bangladesh, having pledged approximately $60 billion in trade, investment, and loans, representing the largest commitment to Bangladesh by a single country.
The economic dependence on these major powers limits Bangladesh’s autonomy and hampers its capacity to make decisions independently. While the United States employs the democracy agenda as a means to influence Bangladesh, China and Russia offer unconditional support, including monetary assistance, to the ruling Awami League government, thereby strengthening its position.
In the midst of these power struggles, the government’s focus on political survival has led to the neglect of the needs of the common people. As major powers vie for influence and Bangladesh grapples with internal challenges, the well-being and aspirations of the population are often overshadowed.
