“They [BNP] think someone, coming from somewhere else, will put them in power riding a merry-go-round. No one will do that. It will use [them], but won’t give them power”
– PM Sheikh Hasina
Even though bilateral ties between the United States and Bangladesh are wide-ranging and have historical roots, the recent meddling of the USA in Bangladesh’s politics raises the eyebrows of many. Bangladesh is caught in a tug of war between global powers ahead of the forthcoming general election. The USA and some western governments have been putting pressure on the government by introducing visa restrictions and reiterating rights concerns.
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Such pressure has so far only resulted in defiance on the part of the Bangladesh leadership, which insists that the election will be free and fair and under the provisions of the constitution, meaning that there will be no caretaker regime to oversee the election.
The ruling Awami League’s key rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is now waging a one-point movement to topple the elected government. The party also repeatedly warned that it would not allow any election without a caretaker government.
The USA’s meddling in Bangladesh politics has apparently cheered opposition political parties, but Awami League policymakers said foreign power can’t determine politics in Bangladesh.
The government remains busy with its development projects and preparing for the election campaign. This month, a number of megaprojects are being inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Politically, the Awami League prepares for the election, while the BNP holds on to the hope that foreign pressure will persuade the government to hand over power to an interim administration, which will preside over the election in January next year.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently said no external force will put BNP in power on a merry-go-round, but they would rather use the party against her government.
“They [BNP] think someone, coming from somewhere else, will put them in power riding a merry-go-round. No one will do that. It will use [them], but won’t give them power,” she said in an oblique reference to BNP’s excitement following the announcement of the new US visa policy for Bangladesh.
Is USA preferring BNP over Awami League?
This is not an easy yes-or-no question.
The US State Department, led by spokesperson Matthew Miller, has stated its neutrality in Bangladesh’s upcoming election, emphasizing that it doesn’t endorse any particular political party and seeks to avoid interfering with the election’s outcome. However, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas, has recently taken a more assertive stance on the election scenario, inserting the United States into Bangladesh’s internal politics.
This heightened interest in Bangladesh may be linked to the US’s broader strategic goals in the Asia-Pacific region, where it aims to counter China’s increasing influence. While the US and Bangladesh share strong and extensive relations, China’s growing economic cooperation with Bangladesh has raised concerns in Washington. This shift suggests that Bangladesh may be inclining towards China’s sphere of influence.
The ruling Bangladesh Awami League, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, has solid support from the population, turning the country from an ‘economic miracle’ to a thriving nation. This may explain the US’s interest in influencing internal affairs, as they may find it challenging to exert their influence as they have done in other sovereign countries.
In contrast, the US maintains a strategic partnership with India, which has a historic relationship with the Awami League. India is wary of the BNP-Jamaat alliance returning to power, given the religious extremism and violence experienced during their previous rule.
The US is navigating a precarious path, as it tries to influence Bangladesh’s political landscape. While the ruling Awami League may not fully align with the Western bloc, the BNP’s ability to create momentum in their quest to topple the elected government is uncertain. The US and its allies may have another strategy in mind, potentially supporting a government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus and non-partisan citizens.
As the election approaches, the choice rests with the people of Bangladesh, who will determine their nation’s future by selecting their leaders. The US’s involvement adds a complex layer to the already intricate political landscape, with the potential for significant risks to its geopolitical ambitions.
Does the USA interfere with Bangladesh’s external affairs to deter China?
![USA BNP Awami League](https://i0.wp.com/pressxpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/USA-interfere-with-Bangladeshs-external-affairs-to-deter-China.jpeg?resize=654%2C502&ssl=1)
The United States has leveled accusations against Bangladesh, citing concerns about political violence, human rights violations, and election manipulation. Some analysts speculate that this approach is intended to exert pressure on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government to reduce Beijing’s influence in Dhaka. This strategic maneuver comes within the context of the ongoing geopolitical competition between the United States and China.
Bangladesh occupies a crucial geostrategic position, acting as a bridge connecting South Asia with both East Asia and the Middle East. As a result, it has attracted the attention of major global powers, including China and the United States. The outcomes of Bangladesh’s impending elections carry significant political and economic implications that ripple beyond its borders, affecting the broader regional landscape.
China has made substantial investments in Bangladesh, most notably through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is Beijing’s global infrastructure development strategy. China has been a substantial contributor, funding approximately 90% of new energy projects in Bangladesh. Over recent years, China’s presence in Bangladesh has expanded considerably.
In 2016, Bangladesh formally joined the BRI, with the Awami League government prioritizing 17 projects encompassing infrastructure development, including power plants, railways, roads, and modernizing ports. Concurrently, defense ties between Bangladesh and China have deepened, with China accounting for 74 percent of Bangladesh’s arms imports during the 2015-2019 period.
Western nations, particularly the United States and the European Union, remain pivotal actors in Bangladesh’s socio-economic development. The United States, in particular, is Bangladesh’s largest export destination, comprising 22 percent of total exports, primarily centered around ready-made garments, a vital source of foreign currency.
The United States aims to align Bangladesh with its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), a geopolitical framework designed to bolster its long-term presence and commitment in the region. This US-led initiative covers a vast region, housing over half of the world’s population, nearly two-thirds of the global economy, and seven of the world’s largest militaries.
Beyond the IPS, the United States has been encouraging Bangladesh to engage with initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the “Quad”) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). In contrast, Beijing has cautioned Dhaka about the potential repercussions of aligning with US-led coalitions that are seen as anti-China.
Bangladesh, in its foreign policy, seeks to strike a balance between China, the United States, and other global actors. This approach aligns with the guiding principle of Bangabandhu’s foreign policy dictum, “Friendship to all, malice towards none,” which safeguards the country’s legitimate national interests as a sovereign, independent state.