Washington wants to foster defence ties with Dhaka to push forward its Indo-Pacific strategic vision in the region.
The financial capabilities of Bangladesh demonstrated by building Padma Bridge with its own fund has drawn the attention of the Western countries including the US, which now believe Dhaka has the capacity to buy high-end defence articles from them.
The defence cooperation between Dhaka and Washington was largely unexplored in the past, but now the issue is come at the forefront as it is being discussed at the bilateral talks in different levels on a regular basis.
After the meeting between Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and his US counterpart Mike Pompeo on Apr 8, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said: “The Secretary (Pompeo) emphasized the importance of advancing good governance, transparency, and democratic values, as Bangladesh continues its emergence as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific.”
The Secretary of State Pompeo in last June declared $40 million maritime security fund for Bangladesh and utilization of the fund has already been started.
A diplomatic source seeking anonymity said, “There is an urge from the Bangladesh side to diversify its defence article buying basket and not dependent on a single country.”
Dhaka earlier procured Mig-29 from Russia and frigate from South Korea, but quality product procurement from the Western countries is very limited, he said.
“Now they are interested as Bangladesh has shown its financial capabilities and they believe Dhaka has the ability to pay for their products,” he said.
Padma Bridge
When World Bank declared not to provide fund for Padma bridge, Bangladesh showed the courage to build the bridge with its own fund.
“It is no longer a dream but a reality and it gives a signal to the Western world about Bangladesh’s financial strength as span after span are being erected on the bridge,” said another diplomatic source.
Washington has proposed to sign several defence related agreements few years back and those are still pending with Bangladesh side, he added.
Pending deals
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) were proposed by Washington and both the parties are negotiating on deals.
ACSA is a non-combatant deal in nature and it is mainly related to humanitarian response and joint exercise, said an official.
The US has such agreement with many countries including Sri Lanka and India which signed the deal in 2007 and 2016 respectively, he added.
About GSOMIA, he said, “It is a protection deal under which if any military information is shared by the parties, they will not disclose it any other country or entity.”
It is mentionable here, Washington has such agreements with 78 countries including Tehran, which is not scrapped by both the parties even though they have a very tensed relationship.
The pending agreements are expected to be discussed when Foreign Secretary M Shahdul Haque will fly to Washington next month to have partnership dialogue, the official added.
Partnership Dialogue
The seventh Partnership Dialogue will be held between the two countries on June 10, when Shahidul Haque will co-chair the bilateral talks along with US counterpart David Hale, State Department Under Secretary for Political Affairs.
Just after assuming power, the government sent Shahidul to Washington in January to discuss about future relationship and it was followed by the visit of Foreign Minister Momen in April.
When asked the foreign secretary said, “It is a regular platform where both the countries discussed about bilateral issues that include trade and investment to Rohingya to regional and international cooperation.”
Washington is a friend of Bangladesh and we discuss security issue with them as well, he said.