Geo_Strategic_Potential_of_Bangladesh

GEO STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF BANGLADESH AMINA AKTER UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA POLITICAL SCIENCE (2007-2008) Introduction South Asia In the world has many region , we discuss such kind of region geo-strategically ,geo-politically and geo-economically which is very important for its Geographical location, two economic giant ( member country India and neighbor country China),Energy based Natural resources,huge men power, two nuclear countries(India and Pakistan) etc* this region is South Asia *.South Asia is Surrounded by Middle east, Easternasia ,Centralasia Southeasternasia,Indian Ocean and the Himalayas ,is composed 8 countries (Bangladesh , India, Nepal , Bhutan , Pakistan, Sri Lanka , Maldives and Afghanistan) . Bangladesh Bangladesh is a small and naturally beautiful Country .It is surrounded by India , Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal , for this reason it is called bridge between South Asia and East Asia as a result its position so much attractive among South Asia and rest of the world. Potentials and Limitations of South Asia Potentials : (1) Trade (2)Democratization (3) Connectivity (4) Culture (5)Tourism(6)Agro-based product (7)Unlocking Balancing(boarder) (8) Glorious history Limitation (1)Conflicting border (2)Water crisis (3) Energy crisis (4) Environment problem (5)Trade issue (6) Insurgency (5) Terrorism (6) Trafficking (7) Extremism (8) Fundamentalism Potentials and Limitations of Bangladesh Potentials : (1)Connectivity with seven sisters of India , Nepal , Bhutan ,China (2)Chittagong and Mongla sea port (3) Asian Highway (4)Jute (5)Frozen food (6) Vegetables (7)Shrims (8) Hilsha (9) Geographical position (10) Maritime boarder (11) Coal (12)Carbon trade(13)Tourism (14)Diversified culture(15) Medicine Limitation : (1)Locked boarder (Small size) (3) Have no connectivity (4)Terrorism (Climate change) (5)Conflicting boarder (6) Over population (7) Natural disaster (8) Shortage food (9) Water crisis (10) Energy crisis (11)Rohinga (12)Lack of technical shortage Now we discuss geo politics ,geo strategy and geo economics of Bangladesh in a context of South Asia Geo politics Geo politics discuss about Land . It is a matter of foreign policy .Geo politically Bangladesh is in a very advantageous position . (1) Transit though ports (Chittagong and Mongla port) Transit means the action of passing through from one place or point to anothers. Transit is very sensitive issues because some people think transit bring security threat for Bangladesh.This transit issues create debate internal politics of Bangladesh .People are divided by their own opinion such (1) Global liberal regionalist (2) realist protectionist (3) rational choice group (4) Conservative.Among these group some are on behalf of this issue and some are opposed this issue . I think transit is potential political matter for Bangladesh ,for some reason :  Bangladesh lies astride the Indian mainland and the North Eastern Region(NER) comprising the states of Assam , Mizoram ,Nagaland ,Manipur ,Arunachal ,Meghalaya and Tripura collectively known as the seven sisters.The Northeast refers to the wedge of land between Bhutan , China ,Myanmar and Bangladesh.It is almost completely cut off from the rest of India,joined only by a narrow corridor .For this reason India face many problem by NER.NER is now very undeveloped , Create security problem for India, Insurgency problem, threat to geographical integrity .India so much need Bangladesh transit for solve above problems .Examples : Calcutta port to Tripura 1700 km but Chittagong to Tripura 70 km .If India used Chittagong port ,they easily go to NER can solve these problem by ensure development.NER problem so acute for India ,At same time boarder problem , water problem acute in Bangladesh whose are create for India .In a situation Bangladesh discuss with India and give transit after solving boarder and water issues  India want to Bangladesh transit for using Bangladesh river road,railway road,street two port . Similarly, Nepal and Bhutan have been asking for their access to Mongla port for their export and import trade. In order to build friendship and confidence in the minds of neighbouring hinterland countries, (Nepal, Bhutan and India) Bangladesh should consider opening up its transport system to the neighbours through road, rail and IWT links, to make Bangladesh a “transport hub”. This process will make Bangladesh a forward looking country, with connectivity well established regionally. This will definitely enhance the potential of having patronage from the regional countries to establish the Deep Sea Port in Bangladesh. (2) Geo graphical Location (3) Chittagong Hill Tracts (4) Connectivity with seven sisters (5)Maritime boarder (6)diversified culture Geo economic Geo economics related four factors Land, Labour, Capital ,Organization. Economics study efficient uses of scare resource. (1) Economic zone Geo economically Bangladesh is in a very advantageous position.It is located at the center of South Asia with its surrounding countries India (ten provinces),Nepal , Bhutan ,Myanmar and China have put it into a unique situation to steer up a process of economic advancement that would bring a large economic market within its hold .This potential can be properly and evenly developed for their respective economic and cultural growth by forming a ‘sub regional economic zone’. This zone will be the sole linkage between Bangladesh ,Nepal,Bhutan,India(ten provinces) Myanmar(southern) and China(Kunming).This ‘geo-economic zone’ is not only a natural integrated zone but also geophysical and military strategy wise a source for regional empowerment in the world scenario. First of all ,the proposal is to form an eastern ‘economic zone’ comprised of Nepal ,Bhutan ten provinces of India (Assam,Tripura,Arunachal ,Monipur ,Nagland ,Bihar ,Orissa west Bengal),Bangladesh ,Myanmer(South) and Kunming of china.If this zone comes into existence , a tremendous economic boost up along with political and military balance power will take place.The ‘sub-regional cooperation’ concept based on transport economy,energy,water is extremely important for this proposed region. In the South Asian context regional integration is thought to generate significant intra-regional trade and welfare gains for the South Asian countries. These are possible by remove all tariffs between South Asian countries already they have taken policy such as Pakistan India will eliminate all tariffs by 2012 Bangladesh , Nepal and Maldives by 2015. Bangladesh already witnessed some result of these proposal .In January 2010 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed agreements of cooperation between Bangladesh and India .Also in march 2010 sheikh Hasina ‘s successful visit to china has linked up Bangladesh and China.IN 2009 Government visit Nepal ,Bhutan signed cooperation with BD.In this way our future economic prospect ,poverty alleviation ,integrated development and prosperity depending on this kind of sub regional cooperation (2)Jute (3)Agro-based product :fish, vegetables .frozen food (4)Maritime boarder: Natural gas (5)Chittagong ,Mongla port (6)Tourism (7)The Asian highway Geo strategic The element of geo strategic are: Geographic setting of state and region,population,Military History ,military prowess,natural resources .geo strategy related with security issues (1)Geo graphical location (Bay of Bengal) The geo political point of view, ‘’Bangladesh’s Location (apparently seems to be) a disadvantage for her .’’,presumably because the country is virtually ‘’India Locked’’, it has one important locational advantage ,viz, the access to the Bay of Bengal,and through this to the wider open seas and to the sea routes .This geopolitical and locational advantage can be utiliszed by Bangladesh to its own benefit by drawing the attention of the South Asia ,Southeast Asia ,outside world. Examples: (i) India Nepal ,Bhutan (South Asia) : Bangladesh occupies an important strategic position for India . In the event of a major Sino-Indian military conflict ,a determined Chinese trust from the Tibet Chambi Valley ,could sever off the narrow Siliguri Corridor which separates Nepal (from) Bangladesh only by a few miles .The fall of this vital Indian ‘s resentful eastern states from the rest of India .New Delhi’s only access to those areas would then through the Bangladesh territory and therefore it is important for India to have a friendly Bangladesh which would appreciate her security needs . Nepaland Bhutan ,two landlocked Himalayan kingdoms are willing to expand their trade with Bangladesh and make greater use of its port facilities. (ii)China (South east Asia) :China would be interested in maintaining close relations with Bangladesh ,For some reason ,such as For using Chittagong port,in maritime boarder reserve gas ,keeping in mind its past record of antagonism with India. (iii) U S A (global):Bangladesh also attract the attention of USA ,for some reason; Control the Asia ,for alliance (USA+india vs China+Pakistan),for gas,Chittaong port .For Above reason Bangladesh can follow balancing geo strategic with India ,China ,U S A . (2)Asian High Way (3)Transit (4)Maritime boarder (5)Chittagong ,Mongla port Conclusion Bangladesh's location within the 'geo-strategic frontier' of India, South Asia's most powerful country. Bangladesh being in close proximity with China, Asia's largest power, considered a strategic rival of both the US and India. The prevailing geo-strategic environment thus poses challenge to Bangladesh's national security aspects, particularly economic development, energy security and military growth. In this position ,it is necessary to adopt proper policy for avoid above threat. Bangladesh must keep balancing relation between two economic giant India China