The first Bangladesh-Pakistan foreign office consultation (FOC) in 15 years is a positive move to improve ties, but how far the relationship can go depends on whether Islamabad is ready to settle historically unresolved issues, analysts said.
Dhaka and Washington will discuss tariffs, the reforms undertaken by the interim government, democratic transition, and the Rohingya and Myanmar crises as two high officials of the US begin their engagement with Bangladesh officials and political actors today.
The meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangkok on Friday is a stepping stone to easing the strained bilateral relations, say foreign policy analysts.
Restoring confidence in Dhaka-Delhi ties will be the key objective of the meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangkok today, diplomatic sources said.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’ visit to China laid a strong foundation to draw more investments, transfer technologies and improve cooperation, foreign policy analysts say.
“It all happened in about one and a half minutes. It was just like a movie... how earthquakes are portrayed. Rupkotha and I experienced it live!”
'Bangladesh will encourage Chinese companies to relocate their factories to Bangladesh'
The key function for the interim government is now to build consensus among political parties and ensure everybody is carried along in the process and elections, said Comfort Ero, president of the International Crisis Group.
Trump accused USAID of funnelling $29 million to prop up a "radical left communist" in Bangladesh
The Trump administration's move had an immediate impact in Bangladesh, which received $450 million for nearly 100 projects
Trump administration’s executive order to suspend US-funded projects and funding globally has started hitting the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, which is sheltering more than a million Rohingya and taking the brunt in its fullest form for decades.
Thousands of Bangladeshi development professionals face uncertainty as US government-funded projects have been halted following an executive order by the Trump administration on January 20.
US-financed development projects across Bangladesh are set to face a fund crunch as USAID notifies them to stop work in line with the policies of US President Donald Trump.
Beijing may consider Bangladesh’s political stability and diplomatic positioning before making any commitment on economic and trade benefits that Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain will seek during his four-day visit to China, said foreign policy analysts.
The European Union sees a sea of change in post-August 5 Bangladesh and aims to support the political transition, broadening and deepening its ties with the country amid global geopolitical shifts.
Japan is eager to see reforms that eliminate corruption and improve governance, which are key factors for Japanese companies to invest in Bangladesh, said Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori.
Bangladesh is considering modifying its Rohingya policy after seven years of failed repatriation attempts and changed political realities in both countries.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Dhaka and his meetings with top officials have created a new scope to rebuild the two countries’ relations, which have seen strains since the political changeover on August 5, foreign policy analysts said.
