‘The two neighbouring nations can make big gains through cooperation’
Bangladesh and India will be important actors in the Indo-Pacific region, and the two neighbouring countries can both make big gains through cooperation, said Dr Samir Saran, president of leading Indian think-tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
However, the countries will have to make changes in different areas, such as foreign policy, economic policy and infrastructure, in order to make the most of this initiative that will impact the entire region in many aspects, he said during a lecture on Bangladesh, India and the Indo-Pacific concept, held in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The Centre for Governance Studies ( CGS) organized the talk at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
CGS Chairperson Prof Ataur Rahman delivered the welcome address, while Executive Director Zillur Rahman moderated the program attended by lawmakers, politicians, academics, members of the diplomatic corps, and civil and military officials.
Dr Saran presented his thoughts in regards to the potentials the Indo-Pacific initiative, from which Dhaka and New Delhi can achieve many things by working together.
Describing Bangladesh’s geographical location as dynamic, he said the country can reap benefits in all the initiatives surrounding Pacific Ocean as well as Indian Ocean because of its location.
About the Indo-Pacific initiative, the ORF president said as of now, China is “the only player” as it has invested and made infrastructure.
“Others are just talking about it,” he said.
Saran pointed to the growing engagements between Asia and Europe, and noted that by cooperating with each other, Dhaka and Delhi can also benefit from this connectivity, provided that there are proper institutional mechanisms in place and there is political will as well as financial support.
He placed great emphasis on making the institutional changes keeping in mind that both the economies would increase manifold in the next 15 years.
Dr Saran also responded to a volley of questions in respect to the bilateral relationship between the two countries, including the issues like the Teesta water sharing deal, alleged Indian tendency to dominate Bangladesh, and the alleged Indian interference into the internal matters of Bangladesh.
The ORF president stressed the importance of resolving the outstanding issues between the two countries, but also pointed out that any country is independent when it comes to its foreign policy.
“It is up to Bangladesh to decide which project will be implemented by whom,” he said.
Saran agreed with the questioners that in order to enable both the countries to tap into the potentials of the Indo-Pacific initiative, the outstanding issues should be solved.
“I was looking ahead to the bigger gains we can make together in future. We are underfunded as a region,” the ORF president said, adding that all the necessary measures should be made in this regard.
He also talked about more engagement between people, businesses and other communities.
Asked why India cannot read the pulses of Bangladeshi people, he laughed. “We do not sense the pulses of Bangladesh. I did not,” he replied. “Our government doesn’t even read the pulses of our own people. It’s a South Asian virtue.”
News Courtesy: https://www.dhakatribune.com