Changing Contours of US-Bangladesh Relations
30 Jun, 2000 · 384
Pegging on US President Clinton’s visit to Bangladesh, Rahul Arun & Abhishek Srivastava revisit the gamut of US-Bangla relations since the birth of the latter in 1971
Bill Clinton became the first
US
President to visit
Bangladesh
on March 20th, 2000 . Besides promising increased
US
assistance to
Bangladesh
he announced $97 million for food aid and $8.6 million towards reducing child labour. This is a reward for
Bangladesh
being a moderate Islamic nation, and an indicator of the economic compulsions of
US
foreign policy. The present diplomatic bonhomie is in stark contrast to 1971 when the
US
was regarded by many Bangladeshis as an incarnation of evil. The changing contours of US Bangla relations can be divided into two phases of rancour and hostility during the freedom movement, and warmth and cordiality in the post-independence era.
Bangladesh
the
US
had reached an accord with Communist China through
Pakistan
taking advantage of the Sino-Soviet dispute. Henry Kissinger claimed in his book, ‘The White House Years’, that “to maintain the balance of power, it was not possible for the
US
to collude with the Soviets in the public humiliation of
China
’s friend and a
US
ally i.e.
Pakistan
.” Nixon’s critiques Von Hollen and Nicolle Ball accused him of supporting a repressive military regime and being insensitive to the woes of in
East Pakistan
even ordering the
US
task force
Enterprise
into the
Bay of Bengal
.
Bangladesh
became independent, the
US
government began to follow a more positive policy towards
Bangladesh
with the objective of eliminating or reducing Soviet and Indian influence there. The
US
tried to use its economic muscle to influence the foreign policy of
Bangladesh
. Even during the period when
Bangladesh
had no diplomatic relation with the USA Dhaka received approximately $119 million of American aid. With the establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1972,
Bangladesh
became the first recipient of
US
aid grants.
Bangladesh
’s desperate need for food was also met through PL 480 the food aid programme.
America
in October 1974 and his meeting with President Gerald Ford was very rewarding for
Bangladesh
. Despite generous
US
assistance, Mujib was cautions not to jeopardize his relation with the
USSR
and
India
. But his assassination in 1975 and installation of Ziaur Rahman, a military strongman, marked a complete reversal of foreign policy. Zia was successful in bringing
Bangladesh
out of the Indo-Soviet orbit and closer to the west. In response to Zia’s pro-west policy, US indicated its willingness to consider requests for export licenses from
Bangladesh
.
US
,
Bangladesh
signed the NPT which
India
and
Pakistan
had refused to sign. The Carter administration supported
Bangladesh
in its modernization and economic development efforts. Between 1975-81
Bangladesh
received more than $500 million from the
US
for various development projects.
US
reaction towards the coup was one of disappointment. But General Irshad continued the foreign policy outlined by Zia, which somewhat assuaged the
US
anger.
Washington
’s favourable attitude was demonstrated by its declaration that the new regime did not require fresh recognition. General Irshad was also invited to the
US
by Reagan for a working official visit, which elevated bilateral relations between these two countries to a higher plane. In
Washington
, he announced his plan to start the process of democratisation by holding the Presidential election.
Asia
and Pacific Affairs that
Bangladesh
was more in agreement with the
US
in the UN than any other Muslim country. Peck said that these positive trends reinforce “our basic humanitarian interest in remaining involved in
Bangladesh
’s development efforts”.
Bangladesh
in January 1985 and John C. Whitehead’s in October 1985. 1991 was a watershed year as constitutional democracy was reinstalled in
Bangladesh
under Begum Khalida Zia. During her period in office both countries cooperated for mutual benefit and importance was given to the economic aspects of the relationship. The similarity of their views on regional and international issues like NPT and CTBT also cemented their ties. Khalida Zia was succeeded by Sheikh Hasina Wajed in 1996. She has visited the
US
twice and reinforced the efforts of her predecessors. Finally, years of skillful diplomacy and persistent efforts by successive regimes have been successful in bringing Bill Clinton to
Bangladesh
, which would intensify their bilateral relations, and also have a salutary effect on the growth process in
South Asia
as a whole.
The earlier phase of bitterness was a reflection of existing geopolitical realities. During the freedom struggle in
But, soon after
Mujib’s visit to
Under Zia, there was a convergence of views of both countries on a number of international issues. To display of its tilt towards the
The void after Zia’s assassination was filled by Justice Satter who was eventually overthrown in a bloodless coup by General H.M. Irshad. The initial
The favourable trend in bilateral relationship between the two countries also reflected in statements made by senior officials. In 1984 Robert Peck pointed out to the Sub Committee on
Irshad’s visit was followed by Senator Larry Pressler’s visit to
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