Dhaka weighs implications of joining China-proposed new dev forum

Bangladesh is weighing geopolitical implications before finalising decision to join the China-proposed development-cooperation bloc in the China-Indian Ocean region that envisages, among others, aiding execution of projects.

Officials say homework on the option started in response to China's request to join the China-Indian Ocean region forum on development cooperation -- coming lately on a seascape crisscrossed with emergent blocs mooted by big powers.

In a recent letter, Beijing invited Bangladesh to join the network, launched to implement the UN-designated SDGs in partner countries.

"Bangladesh is welcome to join the network and provide constructive solutions on its establishment," reads the letter that also requested sending name of the contact department.

But the foreign ministry in its opinion said before taking final decision in this regard further scrutiny on the geopolitical implications of the decision is needed.

Foreign Ministry in its observation said, "The concept of the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Network is part of the Global Development Initiatives (GDI). Though it is linked with the UN development goals, its geopolitical strategic sides need to be considered."

The foreign ministry also mentioned that participants in an inter-ministerial meeting, convened to discuss the matter, opined for conducting further study before finalising any decision.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh had joined an initiation meeting on this forum held in Kunming on November 21 last year.

The meeting, fronting the banner 'shared development theory and practice from the perspective of the blue economy', was attended by representatives from 19 littoral countries in the Indian-Ocean region.

The conclave was capped with 'The Kunming joint press statement of China- Indian Ocean region forum on development cooperation'.

However, China's regional rival, India, stayed away from the Kunming meet.

According to Indian media reports, Indian policymakers are highly critical of the move as they see it as a Chinese ploy to exert its influence over the region.

"The Chinese forum apparently is aimed at countering India's strong influence in the Indian-Ocean region where India-backed organisations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which has a membership of 23 countries, have taken strong roots," a PTI report comments.

The China-Indian Ocean regional developing-cooperation network is proposed to effectively implement the initiatives and measures of the Kunming Statement, promote the institutionalised holding of the forum and boost development cooperation among all parties, officials have said.

The network aims to strengthen policy communications among all parties, pool development resources, promote common development, jointly forge a united equal, balanced, inclusive and effective partnership and facilitate implementation of the global development initiatives GDI and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the readout on concept of the forum says.

The network is jointly established by designated competent departments from related countries. China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) is a coordinating body with the participation of relevant departments.

The scope of cooperation is described as establishing a highly effective and efficient contact mechanism and implementing the outcomes of the forum and negotiating on the holding of the next forum, advancing practical cooperation through discussion about the operation of the mechanism, the concept paper says.

As regards implementing the outcome of the forum the concept note says the network advances the implementation of outcomes of the forum through coordination on the basis of respecting the wishes of all parties.

"The network will discuss joint holding of relevant activities, exchange information on practical cooperation projects, and explore feasible financing plans and facilitate project implementation."

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