Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her just concluded Japan tour said that the two countries have further strengthened the existing bilateral relations to a strategic partnership from the current comprehensive partnership. She said, “Prime minister [Fumio] Kishida and I have discussed the entire gamut of our bilateral relations. We are happy that Bangladesh and Japan have successfully elevated the bilateral relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ from the existing ‘Comprehensive Partnership’”.
Sheikh Hasina added, “Today, prime minister [Fumio] Kishida and I concluded the Joint Statement on “Strategic Partnership”. I am confident that the excellent understanding, friendship and cooperation that exist between our two peoples and our governments will grow even stronger in the years ahead”.
“Our two sides have signed – agreements and memorandums which will further institutionalize our future cooperation in the areas of agriculture, customs matters, defense, ICT and cyber-security, industrial upgrading, intellectual property, ship recycling and metro rail”.
Bangladesh and Japan signed eight Memorandum of Understandings on agriculture, metro rail, industrial upgrade, ship recycling, customs matters, intellectual properties, defense cooperation, ICT and cyber security cooperation on April 26, 2023 on the second day of Bangladesh Prime Minister’s four-day state visit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said “We have upgraded our bilateral relationship to strategic partnership”.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, in the meeting, both the countries have reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law as strategic partners at a time when the international order is at a historic turning point.
Also, based on new plans for a free and open Indo-Pacific point announced last month, two countries have agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relations in various areas, he added.
It may be mentioned here that, Japan being one of the most powerful industrialized nations in the world, the country’s entrepreneurs are demonstrating more enthusiasm about business and investment opportunities in Bangladesh. Such a win-win situation to Dhaka and Tokyo takes place at the time when Japan has declared a free and open Indo-Pacific giving importance to the ‘global south’ and showed interest to develop the relations with Bangladesh to “strategic level” from the present “comprehensive partnership”.
Prior to Sheikh Hasina’s visit, Bangladesh has revealed its 15-point Indo-Pacific outlook envisaging a “free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive” Indo-Pacific as the country is set to be graduated from the LDC.
Bangladesh is looking to further deepen the existing friendly relationship with Japan, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the Japanese entrepreneurs to increase their investment, especially in the industrial sector amid Dhaka’s growing relations with China – one of the arch rivals of Tokyo. Furthermore, India, another arch rival of China, is opposing Beijing’s growing participation in industrial, infrastructure and defense sectors with Dhaka. Recently Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited India, where he held discussions with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chalk-out areas for further deepening relations between New Delhi and Tokyo. One of the highlighted topics was ‘Indo-Pacific’ cooperation, where both the leaders have mentioned Bangladesh as an essential partner, as without Dhaka’s cooperation. India and Japan’s joint aspiration of linking India’s landlocked northeastern states to the Bay of Bengal as well as Bangladesh’s land routes as transit would be impossible. Furthermore, another mighty country which also is showing interest in the Indo-Pacific is the United States, while China is also willing to ensure its prominent presence in any type of regional cooperation, particularly where Bangladesh would be involved.
Meaning, Bangladesh already has emerged into an important player in the region, where none of the world power can implement any plan without Dhaka’s active participation. For this particular reason, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Japan visit would certainly bring huge benefits to both the countries, while Japanese entrepreneurs will significantly increase their investments in Bangladesh. Of course, for the sake of achieving optimum output of this – Dhaka needs to adopt immediate policies in further simplifying procedures for the foreign investors thus ensuring the end of unwarranted bureaucratic red-tapism in these processes.
