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New equation in Bangladesh politics

Regional peace a vital issue


Published : 11 Sep 2023 10:45 PM | Updated : 12 Sep 2023 04:00 PM

The political scenario in Bangladesh as well as in this region has been changed due to a new equation based on a new reality.

The decades old politics of practicing negativity and extremism, which had dominated Bangladesh from 1975 to 2008, has now come under vigorous scrutiny by the regional and international coalition of peace and stability.

Unfortunately, it is the ironic reality that extremist forces indulged in by Pakistan had been able to mislead a vast population in this region. They were also able to cause hindrances to the economic development and cultural progress as well as their prosperity.

// These extremist militants and evil forces had created a horrific situation in Bangladesh as well as in this region. 

They had hurled grenades at many public rallies, religious functions, shrines and temples. The grenade attacks on a peaceful rally of Awami League was an attempt to kill present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2004, when she was the opposition leader in the parliament.

Patronised by BNP-Jamaat, the militants had made a series of bomb attacks at over 550 places at a time across the country in 2005.     

Besides, several thousand innocent people were burnt alive by hurling petrol bombs and setting vehicles to fire in the name of movement.

Anti-liberation forces and vested quarters had been trying to create anarchy in the name of anti-government movement through conspiracy and by spreading rumour through online and social media.

But the just concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's participation in it, helped bring massive changes in the politics dramatically.

Attitudes of different global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, and their behavior with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mainly helped to make the changes. 

Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was able to make the global leaders, who took part in the G20 Summit, understand the reality of Bangladesh as well as of this region. She was also able to describe the problems in this region and unmask the faces of the troublemakers.

Sheikh Hasina also made it clear to the stakeholders and other global leaders that there is no alternative to the Awami League government and Sheikh Hasina to secure the peace and safety of this region.

The meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and US President Joe Biden played the key role in making the changes in the politics of this region. Neighbouring India, mainly its Prime Minister Narendra Modi, must be thanked as he played the main role in the bridging between Sheikh Hasina and Joe Biden. It is clear that India performed the duty for its own interest or security.

According to sources, Joe Biden, Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina have come to an understanding that no misunderstanding should exist among them.

In the context of Bangladesh, opposition parties and sectors, which had been trying to look for a chance to oust the Sheikh Hasina-led government, have become upset. Their hopes have almost faded away as now there is no chance of coming to power through the backdoor or any undemocratic or unconstitutional way.

It is also visible that new windows of opportunities and cooperation have been opened for Bangladesh for boosting bilateral trade, commerce and cooperation in various sectors with many major countries, including US, UK and India.

Although Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the Summit as a guest, her participation in the summit has ushered in a new era of relationship with different countries and their leaders.

Leaders from the USA, Russia, Britain, France, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Argentina and many other global leaders expressed their willingness to strengthen relationships and to extend support to Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well. They are also willing to expand trade and commerce bilaterally.

After reaching New Delhi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first bilateral meeting was held with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 8 with a vow of renewing commitment for deeper collaboration. 

At the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended different sessions and delivered two speeches under the main theme of the summit "One Earth, One Family, One Future".

An informal and maiden meeting between US President Joe Biden and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed was the most discussed matter on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

During the meeting, Sheikh Hasina and Joe Biden exchanged greetings with each other, narrowing a gap between the two countries and their leaders.

Besides, Biden also praised Saima Wazed for her important works on autism and mental health.

Another maiden bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also said to be a sign of a warm relationship developing between the two countries. The meeting was held on Friday afternoon on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

During the meeting, the British Prime Minister’s courtesy and honour to Sheikh Hasina drew the attention of the entire world. The informal bilateral meeting with Sheikh Hasina revealed the warmth of the relationship between the two leaders.

Besides, during her tour on the occasion of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had bilateral meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Argentine President Alberto Angel Fernandez, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Besides, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian President Droupadi Murmu and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, among others, also held talks with Sheikh Hasina.

During the meeting, Prince Salman praised Bangladesh Prime Minister for her inspirational leadership in achieving remarkable socio-economic development in Bangladesh over the recent years.

He said that Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia would work together to enhance cooperation in all possible areas and assured Bangladesh Prime Minister of his full support in this regard.

The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was also fruitful. At the meeting, both the leaders agreed to further deepen cooperation in culture, trade and commerce, and people to people contact.

In another bilateral meeting with Sheikh Hasina, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday lauded the Bangladesh Prime Minister for ensuring Bangladesh's remarkable socio-economic development and assured more investment in Bangladesh from the UAE.

During a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Argentine President Dr. Alberto Fernandez said that Bangladesh people have won the heart of Argentine people through their support for Argentine football. 

The G20 Summit is also marked by the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had come to Dhaka on a two-day tour on the day before the summit. 

French President Emmanuel Macron also arrived in Dhaka on Sunday after attending the New Delhi summit. His Dhaka visit is also expected to reach the Dhaka-Paris relations to a new height. 

Earlier, During the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also held bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders on the sidelines of the Summit.

The leaders include Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Tanzania President Dr Saima Sulluhu and NDB New Development Bank President Dilma Vana Roussrff.

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