DHAKA, 04 November 2022, (TON): Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien has expressed optimism that the bilateral trade between the two countries will reach $2 billion mark in 2023 when the two countries will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

In the first nine months of 2022 calendar year, the bilateral trade turnover between the two countries has reached $1.1 billion and it is expected to reach $1.5 billion by end of December.

Ambassador Chien told media in an interview “if this trend keeps continuing, I hope that trade between the two countries will reach $2 billion in 2023.”

Responding to a question, the Vietnamese envoy said he has always encouraged Bangladeshi businesses to promote more Bangladeshi goods and services to the Vietnamese people so that Bangladesh can export more products to the Vietnam market.

DHAKA, 04 November 2022, (TON): United States Ambassador Peter Haas said “American companies are very interested in exploring clean and renewable energies opportunities in Bangladesh and Washington has been providing them with support in this regard.”

He said "we will be here and our companies will be here, and we as a government do anything to support them.”

The envoy was talking with reporters after visiting the under-construction Summit Meghnaghat II Power Plant and Summit Bibiyana Power Plant.

The ambassador said “the US companies in Bangladesh are not only emphasizing traditional energy areas like power generation or exploration of gas fields but also looking for exploring sources of renewable energy.”

By Ali Hassan

Bay of Bengal which has been least focused in the previous years, is now becoming the point of concern in international relations (IR). Countries around the BoB, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (at least before the 2021 coup) are experiencing high growth rates. Much of that economic growth is currently being driven by internal reforms and remains fragile. But the region’s long-term economic prospects will likely be driven by the ability of countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka to take advantage of the funds given on the interest base by their huge neighbors, China and India, and most critically by the growing interest of extra regional powers such as the United States. The Bay is also assuming a new strategic importance. It is located close to the geographic center of the Indo-Pacific region (at the intersection of the expanding zones of strategic interest of China and India). The BoB (like its Pacific “twin,” the South China Sea) is also a key transit zone between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and the main route for trade in energy to East Asia. The region’s strategic centrality, just as much as its promising economic prospects, drives the unprecedented jostle for influence by the major powers, including China, India, Japan, the United States, and even Russia.                                                   

BoB will likely assume increasing geostrategic importance in the Indo-Pacific vision in the coming decades. In some ways, it is also the epicenter of the Indo-Pacific concept—the place where the strategic interests of the major powers of East and South Asia intersect. The importance of the BoB as a new frontier for development and confrontation and its relevance to key regional and extra regional players will continue to grow as geopolitical competition intensifies. According to an political scientist Akihiko Tanaka, the former head of Japan’s International Cooperation Agency, The BoB not only physically connects the Pacific and Indian Oceans but has the potential to act as an economic hub for the East Asian and Indian Ocean economic systems’ interaction.

Despite its seemingly bright economic prospects and objectives, the region still suffers from an array of politico-security issues, many of which are transnational in nature. These include political instability, separatist insurgencies, communal and religious conflicts with cross-border implications and maritime security challenges such as piracy, gun-running and human trafficking. The region also suffers from considerable environmental security problems—a possible inundation of large parts of the littoral states due to rising sea levels that could lead to the displacement of millions. The BoB is not only a theater for a great power game; the livelihood and economic vitality of the countries surrounding it are highly dependent on this body of water. Domestic dynamics in each of these states, interstate conflict, nontraditional security threats, climate change, and ecology are also critical factors shaping the Bay with significant consequences for the broader Indo-Pacific. The article first depicts the origin of Indo-Pacific concept and the geostrategic significance of the BoB in relation to the concept. In the subsequent section, it identifies the key drivers that are likely to foster the BoB’s significance and its relevance for Indo-Pacific.

However, the BoB was long ignored by great powers, as it was characterized by an image of poverty, natural disasters, and political instability. Even now, few perceive the BoB as constituting a region for significant geopolitical calculations. In contrast to previous centuries, since the end of World War II, geographers, academics, and diplomats preferred to divide the Bay of Bengal into two distinct halves, drawing a sharp line between what came to be called “Southeast Asia” and “South Asia.” as the concept of the Indo-Pacific continues to surge and become operationalized. The area is likely to gain much greater prominence in coming years and may even be poised to become a new epicenter of economic development in Asia.

The Bay of Bengal which is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean is of great political, economic, and cultural importance to its coastal countries of Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia With maritime trade, fishing, and issues, including illicit trade, piracy, armed robbery, and illegal fishing.

Incidents of human trafficking after the influx of the Rohingya refugees’ influx to Bangladesh from Myanmar in 2017, piracy, and attacking seamen at the cargo and fishing trawlers and engine boats on the seaway, are increasing day by day. Crews, boatmen, fishermen, and owners of cargo trawlers and engine boats are not safe in the Bay of Bengal as the pirates attack them in the offshore areas on the sea. Particularly, the fishermen cannot go to the sea due to rampant incidents of attacks of pirates on the fishermen.  Fishermen of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar are now suffering a lot. In this situation, the role and involvement of law enforcement agencies are needed here to combat this maritime security threat.

The strategic involvement of extra regional actors which is now seemed as the trend in IR now, will put regional actors including Bangladesh in serious crises and threats in coming future if it is not dealt wisely by Bangladesh and its neighboring states with the passage of time. The common interest of extra regional entities is also increasing tremendously day by day which can pose serious maritime security challenges for Bangladesh and other regional entities connecting Bay of Bengal.

By Farzana Tamannur (TON Bangladesh) 

On October 30, The High Court (HC) 2022 issued a rule, asking why the provision empowering the police commissioner to ban rallies or meetings in the Dhaka metropolitan area should not be stated unconstitutional and illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo passed the order following a writ petition.

Four people, including the law ministry secretary, home ministry secretary, and Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner were made respondents to the rule.

Advocate Abdul Momen Chowdhury appeared for the writ petitioner in the court. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Arobinda Kumar Roy represented the state.

On October 20, Supreme Court lawyers Abdul Momen Chowdhury and KM Zabir, Chandpur Bar Association lawyer Selim Akbar, and two individuals Shah Nuruzzaman and Mohammad Yasin filed the writ petition challenging Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance 1976.

Section 29 states that the police commissioner may ban any public gathering or procession when needed and for the period that he/she considers essential through written order for the maintenance of peace or public safety. But no such prohibition shall persist in force for more than 30 days without permission of the government.

Lawyer Abdul Momen Chowdhury said Section 29 of the ordinance conflicts with Article 37 of the constitution and goes against fundamental privileges.

Meanwhile, the state counsels said public assemblies are not always banned by police, except when there is any chance of chaos. If two political parties call assemblies at the same venue, there might be disorder.

Ruling Awami League-backed miscreants have continued their attacks on BNP rallies and processions in diverse parts of the country, leaving some people injured.

Law enforcement banded BNP from holding pre-scheduled demonstrations in Munshiganj and the administration issued section 144 in Noakhali to avert conflict as the ruling party declared their rallies at the same location at around the same time.

 In Cumilla, Titas upazila BNP scheduled a rally at the upazila sadar as part of their central programme.

BNP units in districts and upazilas have been staging marches, rallies, and human chains, protesting fuel and commodity price hikes and the deaths of their two activists in Bhola.

"Awami League activists foiled their programme, confronting them with bamboo sticks," according to Titas Upazila BNP General Secretary Osman Gani Bhuiyan.

He went on to say that supporters of the Awami League and affiliated organizations took up positions in adjacent upazila sadar areas since last night to stop the BNP from holding a rally.

At one stage, they chased BNP leaders and activists in numerous places of the district town while they tried to march towards the assembly venue, leaving at least 15 people wounded. 

Titas police station officer-in-charge, Sudhin Chandra Das, said they were informed about chases and counter chases among BNP and Awami League men, but did not obtain any formal complaint. Additional police have been arranged in the area.

In Munshiganj's Gazaria upazila, police banded the BNP from holding their protest march in the Bhoberchar College road region on Tuesday.

Restricted by law enforcement, BNP leaders and activists held a short demonstration at the venue and left the place. 

However, four people were wounded in a reported attack by Awami League leaders and activists on BNP men on their way to Gazaria upazila to join the party's protest demonstration on Tuesday.

Of the wounded, Gazaria upazila Jubo Dal Assistant General Secretary Mohiuddin Ahmed was admitted to the upazila health complex, while three others, including CNG auto-rickshaw driver Ripon Mia, were given first aid. 

In Noakhali, police, in overnight drives in Sadar, Senbag and Chatkhil upazilas, arrested 21 people in two cases over a clash that erupted among BNP and Awami League on Monday.

Superintendent of Noakhali police, Md Shahidul Islam, said the arrested were in trial court on Tuesday afternoon.

Of the two cases, Awami League filed one whereas the police lodged another one, making about 450 BNP leaders and activists blamed for the clash among two parties, vandalizing shops and the Dumuria union BNP office, and making anarchy.

Awami League and BNP activists locked in a clash at Senbag upazila of the district following an attack by ruling party supporters on the opposition activists on Monday, leaving at least 20 people injured.

Noakhali's Begumganj upazila administration issued section 144 when ruling Awami League and BNP both announced their rallies at the same location around the same time.

The BNP had a pre-planned programme at Chaumohani stadium protesting fuel plus commodity price hikes. However, the Awami League declared a rally at the same venue to prevent the BNP programme. 

To avert confrontation, the administration issued a prohibition on any programmes there from 6:00am to 8:0pm on Wednesday, said Begumganj UNO, Shamsun Nahar.

In the meantime, in Rangamati, BNP held a protest demonstration in front of its district office on Tuesday on the occasion of International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

At the demonstration, Central BNP Organizing Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shamim and other BNP leaders demanded an international query of every incidence of enforced disappearances.

Criticizing the stopping of BNP's democratic programmes by issuing Section 144 without any provocation, and the attack and arrest of its leaders and activists, Rangamati BNP leaders, said, "You (the government) cannot stay in state power by issuing Section 144." There is no doubt that BNP is gaining extensive popularity while Awami League is trying to stop the party undemocratically.

LONDON, 03 November 2022, (TON): Jordan’s Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II has called for integrated Arab action to combat global crises in an address to the Arab Summit in Algiers.

In his speech at the summit, the crown prince focused on a range of topics, including the Palestinian cause, Arab trade and regional security.

The crown prince said that a just and comprehensive peace plan based on the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and international law remains a strategic option for Arab states to ensure the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He said “it is our duty, as Arab states, to step up our efforts alongside relevant international actors, in order to resume the peace process and support the steadfastness of our Palestinian brothers and sisters on their land.”

CAIRO, 03 November 2022, (TON): Egypt’s foreign minister urged world leaders and negotiators to deliver on previously made pledges to battle climate change ahead of this month’s UN summit.

Sameh Shoukry, the president of the COP27 climate change conference to be held in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh on Nov. 6-18, said participants should aim to take meaningful and tangible steps to implement the 2015 Paris climate accord.

The Paris Agreement aims to keep global temperatures from rising another degree Celsius (1.8 Fahrenheit) between now and 2100, a key demand of poor countries ravaged by rising sea levels and other effects of climate change. Last year’s summit in Glasgow produced a compromise deal aimed at keeping that key global warming target alive.

LONDON, 03 November 2022, (TON): UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced he will attend the UN climate change conference, reversing an initial decision not to go because of pressing domestic commitments.

He wrote on Twitter “there is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change. There is no energy without investing in renewables.”

“That is why I will attend @COP27P next week: to deliver on Glasgow’s legacy of building a secure and sustainable future.”

Sunak’s original decision not to attend the gathering in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh drew the ire of environmental campaigners.

SEOUL, 03 November 2022, (TON): Officials said “a North Korean ballistic missile landed less than 60 kilometers off South Korea’s coast, the first time an apparent test had landed near the South’s waters, leading to air raid warnings.”

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said “the missile was one of three short-range ballistic missiles fired from the North Korean coastal area of Wonsan into the sea.”

The JCS said at least one of the missiles landed 26 kilometers south of the Northern Limit Line, a disputed inter-Korean maritime border.

The missile landed 57 kilometers from the South Korean city of Sokcho, on the east coast, and 167 kilometers from Ulleung, where air raid warnings were issued.

KYIV, 03 November 2022, (TON): Russia said on Wednesday it would resume its participation in a deal freeing up grain exports from war-torn Ukraine, reversing a move that world leaders had said threatened to exacerbate global hunger.

Moscow announced the sudden reversal after Turkiye and the United Nations helped keep Ukrainian grain flowing for several days without a Russian role in inspections.

The Russian defense ministry justified the change by saying it had received guarantees from Kyiv not to use the Black Sea grain corridor for military operations against Russia. Kyiv did not immediately comment on that, but has denied in the past using the agreed shipping corridor as cover for attacks.

A defense ministry statement said “the Russian Federation considers that the guarantees received at the moment appear sufficient, and resumes the implementation of the agreement.”

MOSCOW, 03 November 2022, (TON): The foreign ministry said “Moscow will “in the near future” summon the British ambassador to hand over evidence of its claim that the UK helped orchestrate an attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.”

Russia has claimed UK specialistsz helped Kyiv launch a drone attack on the fleet in Moscow-annexed Crimea at the weekend.

Russia has also accused London of being behind September explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

Russian authorities have so far provided no proof to back up their claims.