Bangladesh remains neutral in great power rivalry

Due to its strategic location, Bangladesh has been caught in the crossfire between the United States and China as they vie for influence.

However, the country has adopted a neutral stance in the ongoing rivalry between the two superpowers, despite pressure from both sides, writes Doreen Chowdhury, a doctoral researcher at the University of Groningen, in the Pacific Forum.

The US and China have pressured Bangladesh to align with their respective strategies.

China, in particular, has cautioned Bangladesh against joining the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, while the US has repeatedly sought Bangladesh’s support for its Indo-Pacific strategy.

The regional dynamics and the Sino-Indian rivalry have added further complexities.

The country’s recently released “Indo-Pacific Outlook” highlights its commitment to self-determination and maintaining neutrality in the face of great power competition.

It emphasizes Bangladesh’s adherence to the existing liberal international order and its belief in a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

The outlook underlines the importance of security for economic prosperity and asserts that Bangladesh does not intend to align with any specific side in the geopolitical rivalry.

It reaffirms the country’s commitment to respecting national sovereignty, promoting equality, non-interference in other nations’ internal affairs, and peaceful resolution of international disputes.

The outlook also emphasizes the significance of connectivity, including physical, institutional, energy, digital, and human aspects, to enhance trade and cooperation.

Bangladesh seeks to strengthen partnerships and dialogue among Indo-Pacific countries while engaging with sub-regional partners and relevant organizations.

By promoting liberal values, norms, and multilateralism, Bangladesh aims to balance the interests of Western powers and emerging powers like China and India.

Connectivity plays a central role in Bangladesh’s outlook, encompassing physical, institutional, energy, digital, and human aspects.

The country aims to enhance the movement of goods, services, capital, and people across borders.

By emphasizing liberal values, norms, and multilateralism, Bangladesh aims to maintain the status quo favored by Western powers while facilitating the interests of emerging powers like China and India.

The outlook allows Bangladesh to navigate tensions between great powers and strike a balance in the current geopolitical rivalry.

The success of this approach will depend on Bangladesh’s diplomacy and national power.

Nonetheless, the outlook serves as a model for other small and littoral Indo-Pacific states, demonstrating that a neutral policy can foster peace, security, and cooperation in the region.