Dhaka envisions free, open, peaceful, inclusive Indo-Pacific

Shahriar Alam, state Minister for Foreign Affairs addressing a press conference on the US HR report on Bangladesh. File

Jehangir Hussain

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam said at Agartala on Tuesdsy that Bangladesh envisions a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific  a core area of global politics and key determinant of long-term prosperity of South Asia.

"An important constituent of the Indo Pacific, the Bay of Bengal can change the fate of the greater Bay of Bengal community including South Asia," he said while speaking at a seminar on ‘Third India-Japan Intellectual Conclave’.

The seminar was jointly hosted by Assam-based influential think tank Asian Confluence, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Bangladesh Mission in Agartala and the Embassy of Japan in India.

Shahriyar Alam emphasized on deepening relations in the region for shared prosperity through regional connectivity with the Bay of Bengal as the common strategic interlocutor.

He said that with its advantageous geographic location between South and South East Asia, and the Bay of Bengal to the south, Bangladesh is working to establish itself as the regional hub of connectivity.

"We believe that implementation of the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity would be instrumental for further economic development in the region," he said.

He recalled the crucial role played by India particularly the people of Tripura during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 that Bangladesh waged under the leadership of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Shahriar Alam highlighted the transformative changes in the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and India in recent years under the leadership of Prime Miniser Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always advocated regional and sub-regional cooperation.

Shahriar Alam termed big infrastructural projects of Bangladesh such as the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the river Karnaphuli, the Matarbari Deep Seaport, the Payra Deep Sea Port, third Terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Padma Bridge Rail Link Project as engines of growth in the region. 

He highlighted how the connectivity of North East India with mainland India and access to the Bay of Bengal using Bangladesh territory and its sea ports would bring phenomenal prosperity in the region.

He appreciated the  involvement of Japan for undertaking the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt for infrastructural development in Bangladesh.  

He  called upon the political leadership in  the region to be visionary.

He emphasized that greater benefits of the people should not be allowed being hostage to political considerations. He expressed the hope that Bangladesh’s neighbour India would reciprocate in allowing its territory for use by neighbours.  

Among others,  Indian Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy; Minister of State for External Affairs Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Industries and Commerce and Welfare of OBCs Minister of Tripura Santana Chakma, and Japanese Ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki  spoke.

Shahriar met with Chief Minister of Tripura  Dr Manik Saha and congratulated him on his his taking office before returning to Dhaka on Wednesday, a Foreign Ministry release said. 

He thanked the people of Tripura for opening their home and hearts to the people of Bangladesh during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

Shahriar Alam said that Bangladesh government was working to take the India-Bangladesh connectivity to pre-1965 level for shared prosperity of the region.

He invited the Chief Minister to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

Nahim Razzaq, MP and Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner in Agartala accompanied the State Minister during the meeting.

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