‘India, US and China have interest in Bay of Bengal’

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said alongside Bangladesh, India, the United States, and China have distinct interest in the Bay of Bengal.

He made the remark while speaking at a three-day international conference at a hotel in the capital on Saturday morning.  

The non-government think-tank, Center for Governance Studies (CGS), organised the “Bay of Bengal Conversation 2024.”

He also said the Bay of Bengal is very important for Bangladesh due to Rohingyas and other issues.

Over the past eight years, Bangladesh has received less cooperation from its larger neighbor than expected in resolving this crisis, the foreign adviser pointed out.

Touhid Hossain said, “I feel our neighbors have not come forward to help us solve the problem as they have their own interests. As a result, this issue has become a heavy burden for us. This will not only be a threat to Bangladesh but will also spread elsewhere.” 

The foreign affairs adviser said the question may arise as to why China has not come forward to stand beside Bangladesh.

He said, “For China, Myanmar is far more important than Bangladesh in terms of ensuring access to the Bay of Bengal. Similarly, India views the Kaladan project in Myanmar as crucial for accessing its northeastern states. Thus, India has no alternative but to maintain good relations with Myanmar.”

Chief adviser of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus delivered the inaugural speech at the conference.

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohammad and former Bolivian president Jorge Quiroga delivered video messages.

The event was hosted by CGS executive director Zillur Rahman, with additional speeches by CGS chairperson Monira Khan.