Bangladesh should target trade expansion through D-8

Bangladesh is a compelling example of interfaith harmony in a world increasingly polarized by religious strife. The country, with its rich tapestry of diverse religious communities, has historically embraced coexistence among Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. This commitment to unity is not merely a cultural artifact; it is woven into the very fabric of the nation’s identity and governance.

A series of media narratives have appeared in recent times through Indian news agencies regarding the Chattogram Division as well as the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region of Bangladesh.

In broad daylight of 2nd December, Bangladesh Assistant High commission was attacked in Agartala, by a group of angry protestors under the banner of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, an affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)- a Hindutva based organization. Bangladesh has strongly condemned the attack on its mission in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, bordering Bangladesh’s Sylhet and Chattogram divisions.

November 13, 2024 marks a year of Arakan Army`s (AA) newest onslaught against the Myanmar military junta in Rakhine State. Named `Operation 1113`, this is the most successful military operation of the AA.

The friendship between Bangladesh and China has a rich history that spans over a millennium. Both nations have long been upholding each other’s respective core interests and concerns. While China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, and territorial integrity and opposing external interference, Bangladesh firmly pursues the one-China principle and appreciates China’s important role in promoting regional peace and stability.

The recent escalation in the Middle East, associated with intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza, has drawn constant global attention. The war has made ripple effects on Lebanon, Yemen and Iran, alongside uprising mass in many regions.

After the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August, many aspects of India-Bangladesh relations have slowed down significantly. The suspension of India’s visa service is one of the most remarkable instances as it has sparked public discontent. 

In the aftermath of Sheikh Hasina`s ouster from power, the relationship between neighbours Bangladesh and India seems to have gone cold. The former prime minister was considered pro-India, and many believe she gave India undue privileges to cement her hold on power. So, the anti-Hasina sentiment has rubbed off on India so much so that anti-India slogans were heard during the July Uprising. 

In the US presidential election on November 5, Donald Trump of the Republican Party won a decisive victory, and he is scheduled to succeed Joe Biden as the US president on January 20, 2025. The upcoming change in the US administration is likely to substantially affect ties between Bangladesh and the United States, in areas including politics, the economy, migration, strategic and security ties, climate change, and humanitarian cooperation.

A major contributor to Bangladesh’s GDP, remittance has long been a pillar of the country’s steady economic growth and resilience. Remittance or expatriate income is currently in the best position among the primary indicators of the nation’s economy. After continuing to expand in August and September, the remittance inflow is gaining significant traction in October as well, indicating not just the expatriate community’s tenacity but also their restored faith in the economic security of their country.

Since the fall of the Awami League, Indian media has portrayed Bangladesh as a nation plunged into chaos, highlighting alleged attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. The country, having more than 170 million people in about 8 percent of them Hindus, is facing a manipulated narrative from its neighbor’s media, which undermines its pursuit of a stable democracy after a prolonged period of authoritarianism.

On October 31, 2024, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump issued a statement on the platform X (formally Twitter) regarding violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh, claiming they have been victims of mob looting that, according to him, would have never occurred under his watch.

On 26 October, Dattatreya Hosabale, the General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), urged the United Nations (UN) and the world community to save Bangladeshi Hindus from persecution.

In recent months, the Hindu minority in Bangladesh has become a focal point of international concern and geopolitical maneuvering, particularly from India, where prominent political voices are calling for global intervention to protect this community.

When Riyadh acknowledged Bangladeshas a sovereign state in 1975, the formal relationship between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia began. These two nations have been friendly and close ever since. Both parties` high-level visits have helped to strengthen their bilateral ties.

At present, 11 districts in Bangladesh are grappling with a dire situation of severe flooding. This crisis has not only affected over 5 million people but also forced more than 1 million to flee their homes. The floods have wreaked havoc on crops, cattle, and fisheries, causing losses estimated to be in the hundreds of crores of taka. As governments and various organizations rush to provide relief, food supplies, medical care, and temporary shelters, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.