Tarique Rahman's China Visit: Bangladesh Has Given a Fitting Reply to India

 Tarique Rahman's China Visit: Bangladesh Has Given a Fitting Reply to India

After the successful completion of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first major foreign visit to China, the hue and cry and negative reactions seen in the Indian media clearly represent a fitting reply by Bangladesh against India's long-standing 'big brother' mentality. Headlines such as “Bypassing India”, “Threat to the Siliguri Corridor”, “J-10CE Jet Deal” — the way Indian news outlets like Hindustan Times, Times of India, The Print, NDTV, and OpIndia have portrayed this visit only exposes their frustration and anger at failing to accept Bangladesh’s independent and bold foreign policy.

Indian media claims that the new Prime Minister’s first visit going to Malaysia and China instead of India is a “violation of tradition”. But the question is — whose tradition is this? It is nothing but India’s one-sided expectation to maintain its sphere of influence. Bangladesh is not a colony or a vassal state of any country. The government of Tarique Rahman, following the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy, has taken the decision of the visit according to the country’s economic and developmental interests. This is the right of a sovereign nation. This unjustified criticism by the Indian media is actually an attempt to challenge Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

Unwarranted concern over Teesta and development projects: For a long time, Bangladesh has not received any permanent and fair solution from India on the Teesta river water sharing issue. If this project is implemented with China’s assistance, Bangladesh’s farmers, environment, and economy will benefit. Yet Indian media is portraying it as a “threat to the security of the Siliguri Corridor”. This negative propaganda is actually an ill attempt to hinder Bangladesh’s development. Bangladesh will make decisions regarding its own resources and future — it will not wait for permission from any third country.

Defence and economic cooperation: Possible purchase of fighter jets from China, the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor, and the signing of more than 15 agreements and MoUs under the Belt and Road Initiative — these are extremely important for increasing Bangladesh’s economy, investment, employment, and defence capabilities. The ‘concern’ expressed by Indian media is actually a sign of their inability to tolerate Bangladesh’s progress. China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner. This cooperation is not against any country, but in the interest of Bangladesh’s development.

Tarique Rahman’s visit has given India a clear and fitting reply — Bangladesh will no longer remain under the shadow of any ‘big brother’. It will build relations with the world independently, with dignity, and according to its own interests. The propaganda by the Indian media has only revealed their own discomfort.

Bangladesh will move forward by protecting its sovereignty and national interests. India should accept this reality and maintain relations on the basis of equality, otherwise it will only weaken its own position by continuing negative propaganda. Bangladesh is ready — to move forward on the world stage with the dignity of its independence.