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Dimension of Bangla-US security dialogue in Dhaka
THE 21st century is as exciting as it is full of 1 unpredictable events and dangers. Most of the dangers arise from global changing pattern of security, both traditional and non-traditional.
Given the background, the third dialogue on security with the US which was held yesterday (22nd April) in Dhaka assumes importance. The main purpose such dialogue is to increase cooperation with
the US in the areas of, among others, counter-terrorism, border security, joint military exercises and training including preparedness for natural disasters.
The acting assistant secretary of the state bureau of political-military affairs led the US delegation at the dialogue while Bangladesh delegation was led by the secretary (bilateral) of the Ministry of foreign affairs.
It is noted the second bilateral security dialogue was held Washington on 9th April.2013 and the first one took place in Dhaka on 12th April, 2012.
Bangladesh faces various security issues relating to: (a) ideological based terrorism or political terrorism, (b) illegal flow of weapons from abroad, (c) natural disasters and (d) land and maritime borders.
The terrorists represent an extreme ideological views, are shadowy figures and not identifiable with any state. The terrorists could be a part of multinational network or homegrown and are engaged in largely clandestine work and when they want to disrupt normal events or lives, they brook no limits on their power of destruction on innocent persons..
For example the August 21 2004 dastardly grenade attack which was an attempt on the life the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been a grim reminder of how much destruction the terrorists could inflict on the unsuspecting individuals.
Second security threat emanates from the flow of illegal weapons and ammunitions to Bangladesh. For example, the incident of the 10-Truck Arms and Ammunition Haul which took place at a jetty of Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) on the Karnaphuli River on the early hours of 2nd April 2004 is believed to be the largest arms smuggling incident in the history of Bangladesh. (In January 2014, the court handed death penalty to 14 including then two ministers for smuggling truckloads of firearms).
The third security threat comes from the frequency of natural disasters which has increased in Bangladesh due to impact of global climate change. Although they can not be prevented, they can be managed through increasing the capacity of community preparedness with latest technologies.
The fourth security threat arises having porous land border and open seafront, such as gunrunning, illegal human and drug trafficking, and piracy and spilling oils by foreign vessels in the Bangladesh maritime waters.
It is noted Bangladesh's direct access to Indian Ocean is strategically and commercially important because 90% of GNP depends on sea trade and almost 100% of Bangladesh's energy requirement in terms of fuel arrives by sea from the Middle East.
The two sea lines of Communication (SLOCs) connected with two sea ports at Chittagong and Mongla act as vital trade links. Thereby any sort of disruption to these SLOGs will have a disastrous effect on die national economy.
Furthermore, the marine areas need to be protected because they are a great source of food, renewable energy and raw minerals. Besides, numerous forms of life live in the sea which could become one of die potential sources of food in future for the population of the country.
Although Bangladesh government since 2009 has been able to root out largely the terrorist elements from the soil of Bangladesh and has effectively addressed money laundering and strengthened vigilance and monitoring of land and maritime borders, Bangladesh further needs maximising human and natural resources in pursuing cooperative policies to address the security issues with countries in the region and beyond.
The US is deeply interested in the security dialogue widi Bangladesh for strategic reasons. .Bangladesh shares borders with rising India and reformist Myanmar and its interactions with both of them are friendly and cooperative. .Bangladesh is a near neighbour to China which has deepened its relations with Bangladesh. The country also physically interconnects between South and South East Asia.
On wider security, many strategists suggest that the LIS desires to constitute a kind of security (not military) alliance with India, Australia, Philippines and Japan to confront North East Asia's instability. It is better for die US if Bangladesh could be included in the loop.
The relationship between Bangladesh and the US has evolved from one of aid dependence to that of strategic partnership. Bangladesh needs to develop with the I IS a truly modern partnership, one that is practical, open and engaged to meet the global and regional challenges of the 21st century. The strength of the relationship relies on the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances for mutual benefits.
We live in an era of change due to the ongoing power shift and power diffusion. The balance of power is moving toward Asia-Pacific region. The pattern of alliance has changed and often countries look increasingly to regional or distant partners on political, strategic and security considerations. Bangladesh-US annual security dialogue is an instance in point.
The writer is former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.