Every nation state whatever its political system & state structure, has mutual stand point from where it interacted in foreign relations. A state interaction in foreign relations & foreign policy making guided by that state’s political structure & trend of national needs. Generally most of the states basic principle of foreign policy is the same old saying-“Friendship to All & Enmity to None”. Though main theme & target of every state foreign policy always be the protection of own national interest & national security. In case of Bangladesh that should not be different. But success ratio & rating of performance in external relations are neither glorious nor hopeful. Bangladesh needs to adopt & adjust neo-foreign policy for survival in international political anarchy.
From 26th March, 1971-15th August, 1975 Bangladesh follow the pro-socialist & non-align approach in its foreign policy. After the black night of 15th August the course of the Bangladesh foreign policy has been changed dramatically. From the end of 1975 Bangladesh foreign policy are looking towards Islamic World. Even constitution of Bangladesh amendment & article 25 included to ensure the road map of foreign policy of Bangladesh be friendly with Muslim countries. Because of badly needed economic assistance for continuous economic crisis pushed Bangladesh towards western world. Even all the democratic governments since 1991 to till 2001 did not changed that trend pursuing by military rulers. In 2001 Begum Zia’s government take customize new foreign policy: Look East Policy with previously continuous one. But that policy not received enough emphasize & patronization. Since the Awami League led governments took the power in 2008, they changed the course of Bangladesh foreign policy fundamentally. They changed constitution of Bangladesh & erase the 4th & 7th constitution amendment bill which cancelled the article 25 validity. Awami League government takes look towards India policy. With that core move foreign office of Bangladesh experimentally take the Look Africa Policy.
Strategically & economically African region is very potential for Bangladesh likeable neo destination for cooperation & multilateral relations. Why Africa? Because African numerous resources yet to explore. There is a lot of opportunity for expansion of agro- industrialization & handicraft industrialization. It is very hard for Bangladesh to expand industrialization & farming because of population pressure & natural disasters. As well as political stability & social security are not in favor of expansion of private sector. In case of Bangladesh Look East Policy by which Bangladesh looking forward to South East Asia for investment & multilateral business is very expansive & hard. Bangladesh will face lot of barriers & difficulties because South East Asia becomes one of the world largest free market regions. On the other hand South Asian market absolutely dominated by India & Pakistan. India is the neighbor of Bangladesh from three sides. But India conserves its market by creating obstacle like tariff or non-tariff barrier to resist trade of Bangladesh with India.
But in case of Africa the scenario is in positive site. Bangladesh has few big investors but have large number of small investors. The Africa will be great destination for our SME investors. The region of darkness yet to raise so the Govt. of Bangladesh, Business tycoon institution & freelance investors could invest in Africa. Govt. of Bangladesh & Businessmen can take public-private taskforce for estimate the potential of African Market & build up confidence building measurement to convince African people. Bangladeshi peace kippers operate in Africa since 1990s who earned respect & trust of African people. The Africa- Bangladesh relations will be mutual & equal. There are hardly any chances of single hegemony. As a third world representative Bangladesh has better access in Africa than China, India or Brazil. Bangladesh need to proactive in its decision making on Africa issue. Bangladesh has potential scope of investing in Agricultural sector of Africa. Bangladeshi farmers are mostly illiterates but they have excellent understanding in cultivation. If Bangladeshi investors able to create proper mechanism chain then they could use landless farmers of Bangladesh in Africa as land labors. Advice & guidelines of Bangladesh Agriculture Expansion Centre will be required to Bangladeshi investors. That means there are new fields of cooperation for Bangladesh- African Countries. Bangladesh also facing food scarcity & shortage like African countries. Cooperation in Agricultural sector will be fruitful for all parties. Bangladeshi farmers generally used green technology in harvesting which is also a positive fact. Like Bangladesh African countries are in the most vulnerable situation because of global warming & climate change. In many parts of the world people use the advanced machine technology for more food production. This is increasing more carbon emission in ozone lyre. So it is necessary to adopt green & environment friendly method in food production. Bangladesh and African countries participated in the Conference of Parties (COP) side by side. So not only in the forum of poor but also in the forum of environment issue the interest of Bangladesh & African countries are same & unilateral.
Relevant: RUSSIAN DIPLOMACY IN AFRICA: AN OVERVIEW
Though all the fact of mutual common interest is visible but few leaders & experts of Africa addressed Bangladesh initiative as neo- imperialism in African territories. Former UN secretary Kofi Annan described attempt to taking lease of African Lands as an imperial invasion. Kofi Annan comments are clueless. He with other critics needs to understand what the fact is & what the status quo of every respective country is in the interaction with each other. If they considered Bangladesh as same as India, China or Brazil that will shut down the possibility of south-south cooperation. With them the leaders of African countries & Bangladesh also have to understand the fact & factor. Unless there is no cooperation among the LDC countries the fate of poorest people would not changed.
