“It is not imperative to endorse a coup or celebrate a rigged election. Simultaneously, it is not always necessary to intervene in what are frequently domestic issues.”

– Mihir Sharma, Columnist and senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi

Bloomberg, a prominent international media outlet based in New York, recently published an article titled “Biden’s Efforts for Democracy Face Challenges in Bangladesh.” The article criticized the United States’ recent announcement of a visa ban on certain unnamed Bangladeshis, describing it as a “vague statement.”

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The Economic News Agency, in its October 9th issue, characterized the US visa ban on Bangladesh as a form of “open bullying” and criticized it as being “neither fair nor sensitive.”

Authored by Mihir Sharma, a Bloomberg opinion columnist and senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, the article strongly criticized the political policies and actions of the current Bangladeshi government, asserting that “politically, the country falls short of being an exemplar.”

The article indirectly questioned the US stance on Bangladesh, stating, “One need not endorse a coup or endorse a rigged election. Simultaneously, there is no obligation to entangle oneself in purely domestic internal conflicts.”

Furthermore, the article contended that the US sanctions are “unjustified as they portray Bangladesh as a monolithic entity” and criticized the policy as demonstrating bias. It also cautioned that “the cost of isolating Bangladesh is notably high.”

US’s heightened scrutiny of Bangladesh has sparked concern

The Biden administration’s decision to focus on Bangladesh due to its “democracy first” foreign policy, visa restrictions, and frequent mentions in briefings concerning “free and fair” elections has attracted criticism.

Sharma commended the continuous progress of the nation over the past decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. From 2016 to 2021, India outpaced countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, consistently achieving an average growth rate of 6%. The authors observed that Bangladesh is on the verge of transitioning out of its status as a low-income country, shedding various trade and development assistance programs it no longer requires.

However, the political landscape of the country does not offer a shining example. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has maintained its grip on power since 2009. Sharma expressed puzzlement, stating, “It’s challenging to discern why US President Joe Biden has chosen to focus on Bangladesh within his otherwise neglected ‘democracy first’ foreign-policy agenda.”

In a somewhat ambiguous statement issued last month, the State Department revealed that it had taken actions to impose visa restrictions on at least three Bangladeshis, including individuals from law enforcement, the ruling party, and the political opposition, all accused of “undermining the democratic process” in Bangladesh’s elections. The statement also hinted at the possibility of more names being added to the restricted list in the near future.

US Conduct Questioned

Sharma expressed his disapproval, stating, “Such overt condemnation is neither just nor easily comprehensible.” He further noted, “The US sanctions appear unjust since they seem to single out Bangladesh.”

While the State Department has applied comparable sanctions to other nations, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, it has refrained from targeting certain others, including US allies where the military has recently openly interfered in elections, such as Thailand and Pakistan.

Sharma contends that “this policy is perplexing because it portrays the United States as exhibiting bias.” Earlier this year, Sheikh Hasina remarked to the BBC that the US might not want her in power. Any genuine endeavor to undermine democratic institutions will now be viewed with suspicion.

“It’s possible that some in Washington perceive Bangladesh as less significant compared to countries experiencing democratic setbacks like India and Turkey. If that’s the case, it would be a remarkably short-sighted view,” the columnist remarked.

Consequences of Isolating Bangladesh Are Significantly Higher

“The ramifications of isolating Bangladesh carry substantial weight. As the world’s eighth-largest country, it holds a Muslim-majority identity and has been engaged in a fierce internal struggle against secularism in recent years, where surprisingly, the fundamentalists appear to be on the losing end,” he stated.

“Additionally, Bangladesh plays a pivotal role as a swing state within the Indo-Pacific region. China has dedicated substantial resources and investments in sectors like energy and transportation to woo Bangladesh.”

Sharma continued, “America’s allies and partners, ranging from India to France and Japan, find themselves compensating for the missteps of Washington.” In August, Japan announced that Bangladesh would be one of just four countries to receive defense assistance as part of a new program aimed at “bolstering the security and deterrence of like-minded nations.”

French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Dhaka saw commitments of infrastructure, satellite, and expanded defense cooperation. Meanwhile, the Chinese have astutely leveraged resentment over US pressure, with President Xi Jinping assuring Sheikh Hasina in August of their readiness to “resist external interference” on behalf of Bangladesh, as Sharma detailed.

Foundations of Democracy in Bangladesh Remain Firm

Mihir Sharma wrote, “Bangladesh’s political landscape has been characterized by a long-standing personal rivalry between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party over the decades. However, with Sheikh Hasina at 76 and her main opponent, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, at 78, I am optimistic that democracy in Bangladesh has deep enough roots to enable the next generation of leaders to steer the nation in a new direction.”

“But this vision may remain unfulfilled if democratic institutions are perceived solely as tools of US foreign policy. This is a risk inherent in Biden’s approach, particularly if it lacks consistency. Both US interests and those of Bangladesh call for a more pragmatic and adaptable strategy.

“It is not imperative to endorse a coup or celebrate a rigged election. Simultaneously, it is not always necessary to intervene in what are frequently domestic issues.”

“The Biden administration aims to establish Bangladesh as a proving ground for its values-driven foreign policy,” stated Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, during an exclusive interview with UNB while on a recent visit to Dhaka. He highlighted, “To put it differently, Bangladesh is strongly adhering to the principles of promoting democracy and human rights, which serves as an electoral policy that differs from Pakistan and numerous other countries, including India.”

In conclusion, the recent Bloomberg article sheds light on the intricate dynamics of US-Bangladesh relations and the complexities surrounding democracy in the nation. While Bangladesh’s political landscape faces scrutiny and criticism, its resilience and potential for the future remain a central theme. The evolving balance between foreign policy and democratic principles in the country continues to be a topic of international discussion, reminding us of the critical role Bangladesh plays in the global stage.

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