Our global history is one of war and conflict between nations, big and small amidst which we have driven the world towards modernity and globalization. Despite our tremendous success in propelling the human civilization towards a modern and more integrated world, various global and regional conflicts still exist as barriers in the way. In order to resolve these conflicts and remove these impediments, the nations of the world set out in an endeavor to seek international and regional support from its fellow nations. After the end of the World War 2, powerful and effective organizations like United Nations, European Union, African Union were created to resolve disputes among nations and to unitedly contribute in establishing world peace. Furthermore, these organizations that promote co-operation also play a huge role in collectively enhancing the economic, social and cultural interests of one another.

While international alliances such as the UN, EU and AU are reaping the benefits of a greater integration, the countries of Asia; particularly South Asia seems to be trailing behind. Due to lack of an effective regional support system, the countries comprising South Asia are far away from meeting their existing potential. Among these regions, the position of Bangladesh is quite perplexing as we still remain significantly inadept at solving various regional problems that plagues the nation and fail to bring forth effective solutions to our economic problems. Moreover, Bangladesh’s inability to garner diplomatic skills required to attract international interest and its shortsightedness in term of regional politics is subsequently isolating us amongst the nations of South Asia. 

SAARC’s declining role

The South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SAARC), brainchild of the Martyred President Ziaur Rahman was created in an effort to attain regional cooperation and address the asymmetric relationship among the south Asian countries. This regional institution which began its course in 8 December 1985 to promote regional integration has become rather symbolic than substantive in the recent years. With its declining functionality over the years, the desire of the Martyred president to catapult the nation towards the heights of international development through regional support now remains but a dream. Had proper steps been taken since its inception, SAARC would have consolidated Bangladesh in a powerful position in the global scenario with respect to South Asia.

The current Rohingya crises, which remains to be one of the most taxing bilateral disputes whose effects are not limited to Bangladesh and Myanmar only rather its consequences befall all the regions of South Asia. In that light, SAARC’s could have played a huge role in mitigating this dispute but its complete silence in prescribing for a solution can be attributed to its inactivity and also the rising conflict between India and Pakistan regarding their disputes over Jammu-Kashmir. Whereas with the support of a powerful country like India, we could have coerced Myanmar into arranging a repatriation of the Rohingya refugees. However, by refraining from voting for Bangladesh in the UN resolution, India have chosen not to get involved.  The lack of diplomatic skills on the part of Bangladesh in instigating the SAARC to play its role in the matter is also visible. With SAARC by its side, Myanmar would not have dared to carry on committing such atrocities that create factions among neighbouring ties.

SAARC has become stagnant in function with its very last summit held in November 2014, at Kathmandu, Nepal but subsequently, India’s refusal to join for following the Uri-attack by Pakistan on Air Force base henceforth suspended all activity. However, due to the global outbreak of the Corona virus, the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi attempted to bring all the SAARC nations through a videoconference to mull over a joint strategy to combat the COVID-19 situation after which it once again lost its dynamism.

On the other hand, the alliance of some of the South Asian countries including Bangladesh with two southeast Asian countries (Thailand and Myanmar) lead to the formation of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) but it had negligible achievements in the course of 20 years.

ASEAN’S Emerging role

On the other hand, India as the most powerful region in South Asia is all set to establish its dominance as an emerging global power. By signing Free Trade Agreements (FTA) in both services and investment in 2010 and 2014 with a leading economic bloc like ASEAN, it has created a path for strong connectivity and economic opportunities. In case of Myanmar, despite its atrocious actions in committing actions of ethnic cleansing, its strong position in the international platform owes much to ASEAN.

Moreover, Japan is taking 30 of the 87 companies previously located in China and moving it to ASEAN countries, aiming to increase investments and trade deals with south Asian countries. China has joined hands with the ten countries of ASEAN, especially in Vietnam and Thailand in its prospects to increase trade. Last year during November, China, japan, South Korea, India signed a deal with the ASEAN countries called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnerships (RCEP), a significant trade bloc under which, the member countries will have an exemption of tax on 90 percent on their products.

Altogether, China has influence over both Nepal and Sri Lanka and Myanmar and India hold a powerful pact with ASEAN, putting Bangladesh in an isolating spot. Due to weak diplomatic tactics and lack of innovative economic solutions Bangladesh is lagging behind in terms of both bilateral and multilateral pacts. 

Furthermore, recently Bangladesh upon getting out of the category of the least developed countries has garnered new opportunities which will also bring about new challenges. As the duty-free benefits enjoyed by it previously under the World Trade Organization (WTO), will no longer avail once the transitions happen. It will enter a productivity driven competitiveness instead of preference driven competitiveness in which case, it has to accelerate its capacity and communication connectivity. In the face of all these challenges, there is no alternative to regional alliance to bring development and ensure economic sustainability.

Opting for a regional solution

·       Reviving SAARC and investing in SAFTA pacts:

We need to instigate pressure on reviving the role of SAARC and through organizing regular summits, we can discuss upon solutions to solve bilateral disputes among nations like the one between India and Pakistan. We also need to increase intra-regional trade through SAFTA pacts. Furthermore, by assessing how SAFTA pacts can benefit us mutually, Bangladesh needs to identifying its key exportable products, analyzing the barriers it might potentially face.

·       Innovative trade policies and agreements:

Bangladesh needs to acquire better diplomatic skills so that they can create more regional and bilateral pacts with other countries. We have to come up with innovative trade policies like ensuring tax-free supply of exports to other countries which will encourage them to do the same, driving mutual benefit.

·       Forming new economic alliances:

Due to its weak diplomatic tactics, Bangladesh lost the opportunity of gain membership of ASEAN which would have benefitted it tremendously. In that case, the government needs to look out for opportunities to join such regional value platform. They should negotiate for participation in the RCEP which will create opportunities for it to integrate with East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It will also attract foreign investment in Bangladesh.

Other than these solutions, Bangladesh can try to revive the organizations that it already is a part of but which has lost its dynamism. It can also seek aid from Islamic organizations like the OIC with issues like the Rohingya Crisis and the spread of the corona virus as the core path towards empowerment lies in regional alliances and economic treaties with neighboring countries. If we don’t build mutually-beneficial bridges, the path to sustainable development will be long and isolating.