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Pakistan Affairs
PM Hasina’s Upcoming Visit to Japan Highlights a Growing Defense Relationship
On the occasion of Hasina’s visit to Japan from April 25-28, the two nations are prepared to advance their bilateral relations to a strategic level.
The geopolitical situation is bringing out the strategic aspects of Bangladesh-Japan relations, including a new focus on security cooperation.
Japan was one of the first nations to provide support in the development of the post-independence war-torn Bangladesh. Japan has been Bangladesh’s major partner since then, especially in the development field, and historically is considered an all-weather friend of Bangladesh. However, the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan is no longer confined to the development domain; rather it has upgraded to a strategic partnership in the changing political landscape.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the “comprehensive partnership” between Bangladesh and Japan is now poised to be upgraded to a “strategic partnership.” Both Bangladesh and Japan can multiply the existing areas of cooperation to attain multiple benefits.
The growing Japan-Bangladesh partnership was highlighted by Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio as part of his administration’s “New Plan for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific.’”
Japan’s Emerging Security Quest in the Indian Ocean
Since the administration of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Japan’s stance on security and defense has changed. Given that Japan imports a significant share of its raw materials from abroad, and the Indian Ocean has particularly emerged as a lifeline for Japan, given that roughly 80 percent of its maritime trade is carried through this sea-trade route. As a result, Japan’s trade – and, by extension, Japan’s economy – will surely find itself in a challenging situation in the future if there is any unrest in this region.
Because of this, Japan’s foreign policy strategy includes a focus on growing strategic ties with the nations of the Indian Ocean. To counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the Indo-Pacific area and maintain uninterrupted access to sea lines of communication, Japan has already established the Quad, a collaborative security venture with Australia, India, and the United States. Japan has also signed a series of bilateral and trilateral agreements advancing its security quest in the Indian Ocean. On October 22, Japan and Australia agreed to a new security accord that creates tight security collaboration between the two nations but stops short of a mutual defense pact.
On the other hand, the Sino-Indian conflict in South Asia led to an increase in tensions in this region even while the COVID-19 pandemic spread devastation over the globe. Japan has found itself in a hazardous situation as a result of China’s expanding commercial connections with South Asian nations, particularly Bangladesh.
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April 22, 2023
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