By Ali Hassan

The Biden administration’s new Indo-Pacific strategy is well known starting with its emphasis on the centrality of the region to core U.S interests and its forthright characterization of challenges posed by any rising powers. But the strategy differs from that of the Trump administration in at least two discriminating ways. First, it places a greater emphasis on cooperation with regional allies and partners. Second, it flags plans for a forthcoming “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework” that will emphasize “new approaches to trade that meet high labor and environmental standards.” As was true under Trump, Obama and Bush, the Biden White House has focused particular attention on “supporting India’s continued rise and regional leadership.”

On 11th February 2022, the White House announced its new strategy for a “free and open Indo-Pacific” region, which pledges support for regional connectivity, trade and investment, and deepening bilateral and multilateral partnerships. USIP’s Daniel Markey, Vikram J. Singh and Carla Freeman analyze the key priorities outlined in the document, and the strategic dynamics between the United States, India and China in the region. U.S claimed that the region, stretching from Pacific coastline to the Indian Ocean is home to more than half of the world’s people, nearly two-thirds of the world’s economy, and seven of the world’s largest militaries. More members of the U.S. military are based in the region than in any other outside the United States. It supports more than three million American jobs and is the source of nearly $900 billion in foreign direct investment in the United States. In the years ahead, as the region drives as much as two-thirds of global economic growth, its influence will only grow when as will its importance to the United States. The United States has long recognized the Indo-Pacific as vital to our security and prosperity  their ties were forged two centuries ago, when Americans came to the region seeking commercial opportunities, and grew with the arrival of Asian immigrants to the United States.

The United States claimed that it is committed to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. To realize that future, the United States will strengthen its own role while reinforcing the region itself. The essential feature of this approach is that it cannot be accomplished alone: changing strategic circumstances and historic challenges require unprecedented cooperation with those who share in this vision. For centuries, the United States and much of the world have viewed Asia too narrowly as an arena of geopolitical competition. Today, Indo-Pacific nations are helping to define the very nature of the international order, and U.S. allies and partners around the world have a stake in its outcomes.

US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Beigun elaborated the importance of Bangladesh for U.S as The US considers Bangladesh as the centerpiece in its Indo-Pacific Strategy. Moreover, after a meeting with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen at the State Guesthouse Padma he further briefly explained that Bangladesh’s geostrategic location and continuous economic growth and stability makes it more attractive for the US. However, Common commitments of the two countries to democratic rule and human rights have been working as the fundamental basis of the partnership.

There are economic, security and technological elements in Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). As Bangladesh remained neutral while showing the interest to join IPS for so long but the US will be happy if Bangladesh joins most of the areas of this initiative. The US has been placing the issue of joining of Bangladesh in the IPS at different discussions for the last couple of years. Moreover in order to impress Bangladesh the US announced that there would be economic structure in IPS, which will be revealed soon. The US is also putting emphasis on IPS in the context of relations between the two countries in the future. Moreover, in perspective of Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), U.S is working with all stakeholders and alliance of this region and thinking to do many things in the areas of trade and commerce. Alongside technology, infrastructure and sustainable economy, U.S claimed to do many things in the area of security including marine security.

Bangladesh may be facing the situation more acutely than many others due to its geostrategic location in the Bay of Bengal, bordering India and Myanmar’s Rakhine state. An Indo-Pacific Strategy would provide the country with a guiding policy and a clear objective about what the country should do to safeguard its national interests. Apart from the ambiguity, a strategy would also help Bangladesh to maintain its continuity and set a clear vision of what we want to see and do for a desired Indo-Pacific region.

Bangladesh is set to finalize its stance over the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) initiated by the US centering India and Pacific Ocean, senior diplomats have confirmed. USA had been requesting Bangladesh to join its strategic initiative IPS since 2018. In the context of geopolitical competition during the corona virus period; European Union (EU), Germany and France have already finalized their position regarding IPS. French president Emmanuel Macron has discussed IPS with visiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In compliance of the international law, powerful countries like France and Germany, and EU, laid emphasis on economic cooperation in the IPS context. In its position on IPS, France has clearly said a balance of power is being harmed by increasing Chinese power in this region and its competition with the US.

Bangladesh is successfully balancing by equalizing odd to all parties. But as the country does not have any Indo-pacific strategy; its intentions remain ambiguous to all parties who are mounting pressure to increase their stakes over Bangladesh. For instance, US human rights policy has become a major part of Bangladesh’s national politics for a groundless reason. It is largely the outcome of a diplomatic ploy by the US to sustain pressure on Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh may formulate its own strategy. The strategy should be based on its values and beliefs practiced in its foreign policy earlier. A strategy would benefit Bangladesh in many aspects. In diplomacy, it will provide the country with a clear objective and strategic options. Bangladesh will also be benefited in ensuring security and development amid polarization. The strategy also has symbolic benefits as it could globalize Bangladesh’s view of the Indo-Pacific. It may also remove any unwanted uncertainty relating to Bangladesh among the rivals. However, If Bangladesh formulates its own strategy; the strategy should reflect Bangladesh’s beliefs and values as practiced in its foreign policy and guiding principles. Bangladesh, as a small power thriving to emerge as a middle power, has incorporated and practiced widely accepted and universal values in its foreign policy.