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UK Indo-Pacific minister’s visit to Dhaka carries significance  

Published : Thursday, 9 May, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1590
Ozair Islam
Since 1972, the United Kingdom has been an active partner in Bangladeshs research, healthcare, social development, catastrophe risk reduction, poverty alleviation, education improvement, life expectancy for women and children, and womens empowerment. Over the last 52 years, Bangladesh has made great development thanks to all of this. Britain has contributed to the military, police, and government personnel in Bangladeshs capacity-building efforts. British Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan just paid a critical three-day visit to Bangladesh with a major boost to their overall relations. Her intention was to "strengthen modern economic, security, and migration partnership" between Bangladesh and the UK by introducing a new dimension to the relationship.

Along with meeting with Education Minister, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, the British Minister of State also made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In discussions with civil society organisations and government officials, she also got to know corporate executives, humanitarian players, and climate specialists. With both governments envisioning a free and open Indo-Pacific region with a shared future for all people, the visit has enormous promise for both Dhaka and London. From tackling non-traditional security concerns to collaborating on climate change, London and Dhaka are dedicated to strengthening their relationship. Due to Bangladeshs impartial and non-aligned stance, the UK and Bangladesh have the chance to collaborate on discussing the common security problems facing the area. Her visit is timely and beneficial in that regard.

In order to help Bangladesh overcome economic obstacles and effectively transition from LDC status by 2026, the UK has launched a new trade policy initiative with Bangladesh. As part of this effort, the UK will provide technical support to Bangladesh to develop trade policy competence and execute reforms. In the dynamic global arena, robust bilateral partnerships are essential to a countrys growth path, particularly when that country has goals such to Bangladeshs, which is really poised to make the next right move in its economic development. We are happy to see that a UK Indo Pacific minister is interested in strengthening the bilateral trade and investment connection with Bangladesh. In light of this, building a strong alliance with the UK has the potential to significantly expedite development in a number of industries.

In a major move towards deeper commercial relations with Bangladesh, the UK is starting up its trade policy initiative there. Stronger diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties may be fostered between Bangladesh and the UK thanks to their long-standing relationship. More advantages from a deeper cooperation between these two countries might have a big influence on Bangladeshs development into a robust and prosperous country.

Improved bilateral commerce might, first and foremost, lead to new investments and markets. Bangladesh is a profitable trade partner for the UK as it recalibrates after Brexit, especially given the countrys thriving textile and apparel sector. An enhanced collaboration has the potential to result in more exports, more foreign direct investment, and eventually more jobs for Bangladeshis.

Humanitarian aid to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Coxs Bazar will be crucial thanks to newly announced £12 million ($15 million) in support from the UK. Additionally, the UK is giving the host communities in Bangladesh and the Rohingya refugees £12 million in humanitarian assistance to improve their access to amenities like clean water, healthcare, housing, and protection.  

It is noteworthy that a fresh financial package of £12 million has been announced to help Rohingya refugees. International Organisation for Migration (IOM), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will carry out this support. The UK has given the Rohingya and their nearby host communities in Bangladesh £391 million ($487 million) in help since 2017.  Bangladesh has long valued Londons support in the Rohingya dispute. Given that the problem now poses a danger to the safer Indo-Pacific region, London should be involved in its resolution to a greater extent. The Indo-Pacific nations are directly threatened by the spillover of narcotics and human trafficking among Rohingya refugees.

Additionally, Minister Trevelyan disclosed additional UK funding to enable and empower Bangladeshs young and vulnerable populations to take up climate action. In her capacity as UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Bangladesh-UK collaboration is expected to grow in key areas such as security, economic reform, and migration. During her second trip to Bangladesh as the Indo-Pacific Minister, she restated the UKs commitment to enhancing bilateral ties between the two nations. Greeted to have UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, visit Bangladesh with great pleasure.

The strong cultural and interpersonal ties between Bangladesh and the UK have long been a source of friendship. The relationship between the UK and Bangladesh is still growing. Both are committed to working together more, whether it is in addressing economic issues, providing unwavering support for the Rohingya, or collaborating on climate change.

Furthermore, cooperation in the domains of innovation, technology, and education may strengthen human capital and propel knowledge-based businesses. The skills and knowledge required for Bangladeshi youth to prosper in the global economy of the twenty-first century may be imparted via academic partnerships, research collaborations, and technology transfer efforts.

The UKs proficiency in sustainable development and climate change adaptation complements Bangladeshs own initiatives in these domains. In the long term, both countries stand to gain from strengthened national resilience to environmental issues and natural catastrophes brought on by shared knowledge and cooperative initiatives. Cultivating closer bilateral ties with the UK is not just a strategic need, but also a decision that Bangladesh must make as it works to move beyond its current developing position.

The writer is a Student,  Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka



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