Excl: US proposed guarding Bangladesh Border against terror & Indian Threat

[Gonjo]

Dhaka, Jun 1 (bdnews24.com)—The Indian media says the United States is desperate to build a naval presence in Bangladesh as a strategy to counter growing Chinese influence in the region.

The Times Now ran an investigative report titled "U.S. eyes Bangladesh" on May 31 saying the Americans want to use Chittagong port to park a large part of its Seventh Fleet. The report was followed a debate organised by the TV channel styled "America eyes Bay of Bengal ".

It suggested the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recent visit to Bangladesh "was much more than a friendly gesture' and she discussed military co-operation with Bangladeshi officials last month.

"America… wants to park its seventh fleet in the country - for its strategic interests. Worried by increasing presence of Chinese naval bases in the South China Sea - America now eyes a counter strategy - as it wants an overall presence in Asia - right from Japan to its Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean," said the report by the 24-hour English news channel.

Times Now's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami moderated the debate titled "America Eyes Bay of Bengal" based on its own investigation.

The discussants were The Heritage Foundation's Senior Research Fellow Lisa Curtis, Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri, Member, National Executive Committee, BJP Sheshadri Chari, Strategic Affairs Analyst Mahroof Raza, Times Now's Consulting Editor Wasbir Hussain and Centre for Strategic Research & Analysis (CESRAN) Representative Antony Ou China.

The report said the Americans were increasingly worried over the string of pearls of Chinese bases across the South China Sea and their naval might spreading all across Asia - putting America behind.
Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Victoria Nuland was quoted by the Times of India as saying, during the Bangladesh visit of Hillary Clinton no talks took place regarding the issue.

But Priscilla Huff, Washington Correspondent of Times Now, said: "The US State Department is confirming the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did discuss a future home for the Seventh Fleet when she was in Bangladesh."
The Seventh Fleet currently has homes in Japan, Guam and Singapore, she added.
"The Bangladeshi Government remaining extremely tightlipped over the recent developments - as they have internally decided to deny it on record - fearing backlash from their own hardliners," said the Times Now report.

But Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India told Time Now that he was "not I aware of any such requests to the best of my knowledge", when he was asked by TV reporter whether the US had asked to allow Chittagong port to be used as their naval base and whether Bangladesh will allow it.

"Bangladesh is not willing to comment on record even offering explanation to deny the developments. This Clinton visit is a more strategic one than just a friendly one- the Indian establishment caught unawares--as this base could cast a shadow on India's own strategic interests," the report concluded.
Lisa Curtis in the debate said she did not see any reason for US to go for any deal in Asia without consulting with India beforehand.

The debate claimed Bangladesh's Ministry of Home Affairs held secret meeting with the US representatives on issues like containing militancy, extremism, terrorism and even guarding the border with India.

Consulting editor of the television Wasbir Hussain said he had information from Bangladesh that the talks between Bangladesh and US were going on since 2008. US proposed to survey Bangladesh's airfield and also wanted to have its marine fleet reach till inland river port Narayanganj.

He claimed to have talked with Bangladeshi commandos in the military and members of parliament.

The discussants questioned whether the Awami League government would risk such a decision with the next national election so close to come.

Some of them claimed the discussion was being held unofficially under the pretexts of different occasions.

US plans naval base in Ctg: Indian TV | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com

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My Comment: India should now Get ready to face the Universal Soldiers.

 

[TopCat]

Indians are freaked out even with a fart... what will happen when they see the US soldiers guarding our border along with BDR? LOL

 

[ZABASHO]

if you seriously think US will guard your border with India, think again! First your country will loose to a much larger extent the opportunity to illegally infiltrate into Indian side for whatever reasons.
Secondly, US may have found some possible terror links between terrorists in AfPak or within US and entities in BD, and they want to keep a closer watch.
Thirdly, what seems more likely: US stationed troops in Oz against China, they got forces in Japan & S.Korea, again to encircle China, BD would most likely fill the gap they had upto DG. They know India won't have it, SL doesn't cut it given the presence of US base in DG, BD seemed like the most likely option.

You guys better order most expensive entrees, shark fin soup, filet mignon, kobe beef, and Cristal before you go to bed with uncle Sam for "love making"

 

[Gonjo]

The presence of US definitely is much needed. Indians BSF's firing in our border made it easy to drag them in. We do understand our requirement than other nations. Its time to hit back BSF.

 

[DRaisinHerald]

I don't know how BDeshi people will react to this news...but it's best if BDesh realises that the US is a staunch ally of India, so this offer (if real) might have some ulterior motives..

 

[KRAIT]

Indians are freaked out even with a fart... what will happen when they see the US soldiers guarding our border along with BDR? LOL

Did you really understand the article or you just started typing whatever came into your mind? US has already shown India as future economical and strategic partner if you remember Obama's statement.

 

[TopCat]

I don't know how BDeshi people will react to this news...but it's best if BDesh realises that the US is a staunch ally of India, so this offer (if real) might have some ulterior motives..

Well buddy, India is no ally to USA. USA is milking India by selling some hardware. It serves two purpose. 1) make some money 2) reduce some china pressure in Asia Pacific.

Did you really understand the article or you just started typing whatever came into your mind? US has already shown India as future economical and strategic partner if you remember Obama's statement.

Obama made the similar statement to China if you did remember correctly

 

[zip]

I saw that news debate on times now ..if i am not wrong its not about footsoldiers guarding the border ..it is about stationing us navy in bangladesh waters ..

 

[R0H1T]

So now the fake IND media brings joy to our Bangla brethren

US proposed guarding Bangladesh Border against terror & Indian Threat

 

[TopCat]

I saw that news debate on times now ..if i am not wrong its not about footsoldiers guarding the border ..it is about stationing us navy in bangladesh waters ..

Same thing, If BDR knows that somebody is watching their back, you dont wanna know what they are capable of.. LOL

 

[KRAIT]

Well buddy, India is no ally to USA. USA is milking India by selling some hardware. It serves two purpose. 1) make some money 2) reduce some china pressure in Asia Pacific.



Obama made the similar statement to China if you did remember correctly

Just apply common sense........US is not just trying to sell hardware....they are doing us many favours for making India partner.....To have a strong ally in South Asia like Japan, South Korea etc for China, NATO for Russia...geopolitics not just salesmanship.

 

[Zabaniyah]

if you seriously think US will guard your border with India, think again! First your country will loose to a much larger extent the opportunity to illegally infiltrate into Indian side for whatever reasons.

The issue of illegal immigration is your problem. So far, your government hasn't said anything to the GoB. Even given that the current Bangladeshi administration is India-friendly.

And please, don't come up with that "vote-bank politics" crap.

Secondly, US may have found some possible terror links between terrorists in AfPak or within US and entities in BD, and they want to keep a closer watch.

You made that up. You people just love to equate Bangladesh with Pakistan's problems

Muslim = terrorist logic.

What can I say, obsession

Thirdly, what seems more likely: US stationed troops in Oz against China, they got forces in Japan & S.Korea, again to encircle China, BD would most likely fill the gap they had upto DG. They know India won't have it, SL doesn't cut it given the presence of US base in DG, BD seemed like the most likely option.

They don't need a base. Their carrier groups are enough to annihilate anyone.

You guys better order most expensive entrees, shark fin soup, filet mignon, kobe beef, and Cristal before you go to bed with uncle Sam for "love making"

Whatever that means....

I don't know how BDeshi people will react to this news...but it's best if BDesh realises that the US is a staunch ally of India, so this offer (if real) might have some ulterior motives..

India and the US are not allies. Just "strategic partners".

Just apply common sense........US is not just trying to sell hardware....they are doing us many favours for making India partner.....To have a strong ally in South Asia like Japan, South Korea etc for China, NATO for Russia...geopolitics not just salesmanship.

Russia and the US at the same time?

mmm...

One can't keep two heads happy forever.

 

[zip]

@iajdani
good for you .. Without indias support usa will not take that step .. And as far as i know india will not encourage them to do so .. It will be a blunder ..
If usa goes against india then strategically it will be a huge blunder for them .. And as far as banglades is concerned it will become a chess board where world power starts to sharpen their war skills ..aka another afghan ...you will enjoy being in the eye of the storm

 

[Farah Sohail]

Well... I dont know if I should comment or not...but still I would like to say something.. Plzz donot trust US as a friend.. Whatever US does, or says, has an ulterior motive.... Even if they help you, they will make u pay very very hard for the help they once gave you.. You should learn some lessons form Pakistan.. US has been saying Pak is a strategic ally, and look what they have done with Pak.. Their friendship is worse than their enemity...Once they become your friends, they keep asking "do more"their do more mantra never stops.. U think, US will help you guard against India....? US is a strtegic ally of India, it will never do this... Also US had been calling Pak, as their strategic ally, yet kills our soldiers and civilians...Pak has been bitten very hard by US, in disguise of friendship...and i would say, never ever let US have Naval presence in Bangladesh.. It will be disaster for Bangladesh...Pak had given bases to US in Musharraf's time, and see what they did to Pak... It would be better if u learn some lessons from Pak US relationship......

 

[GR!FF!N]

i posted this conclusion in another forum...USA's presence have nothing to do with India..they only are trying to contain China.they are slowly developing close ties with allies of China and slowing making them discrete.recent developments with BD and Mayanmar is only indicating this way..those who are thinking that USA is coming to save you from India is delusional.because India is much larger market than BD and no way,I repeat NO WAY USA wants to loose that.