Indo-Pacific Strategy: US keen to get Bangladesh onboard

The United States seems to be keen more than ever before to have Bangladesh in its flagship Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) concept. The US administration s recent moves to deploy senior officials to persuade Bangladesh reflects the keenness of Washington. In interaction with Bangladesh in recent times_ the US hardly missed a chance to raise the issue and describe the benefits of being engaged with the strategy. Among many Washington moves_ three very recent events are worth mentioning. On September 11_ US Secretary of Defence_ Dr Mark T Esper_ made a telephone call to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is also in charge of the country s Defence Ministry. "The two leaders discussed their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific that ensures the sovereignty of all nations_ and specific bilateral defense priorities_ including maritime and regional security_ global peacekeeping_ and initiatives to modernize Bangladesh s military capabilities_" said a US Defence Department statement on the conversation. "Both leaders expressed their commitment to continue building closer bilateral defense relations in support of shared values and interests." Three days later on September 15_ the US Department of State organized a virtual briefing with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Laura Stone_ Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs_ and JoAnne Wagner_ deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Dhaka. The IPS is a vision in which all nations are independent_ strong_ and prosperous_ according to Stone. The vision prioritizes support for principles that lead to peace and prosperity_ sovereignty_ secure communications networks_ freedom of navigation and overflight_ standards of trade and investment_ free flow of data across international borders_ respect for human rights and rule of law_ and transparency of military activities.  And if I want to leave you with one key message today_ it s that our efforts in the Indo-Pacific are rooted in developing sustainable_ creative solutions that maximize the enormous potential of this region. And I think this is particularly true of Bangladesh_ she said.  Bangladesh is a relationship with enormous potential and a country with enormous potential_ and we really do hope to grow on that. So the administration is looking to grow our relationship with Bangladesh as a key Indo-Pacific partner. Its strategic location_ a huge population and thus a huge market_ and manufacturing capabilities_ are some of the qualities that make Bangladesh important for the US flagship strategy_ the briefing was told. The participating officials_ of course_ denied the popular perception that the IPS is nothing but a move to contain the growing influence of China in the region. On Friday_ it was announced that Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun_ second senior most diplomat after Michael Pompeo_ would visit Bangladesh from October 14-16.  The Deputy Secretary s engagements in Bangladesh will focus on advancing our common vision of a free_ open_ inclusive_ peaceful_ and secure Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all_ US-Bangladesh cooperation on Covid-19 response and recovery efforts_ and sustainable economic development_ according to the State Department. The dispatching of such a senior diplomat reflects the importance of Bangladesh with respect to IPS.