Don't mind me asking, but how is it beneficiary for all? You know once you give someone a right, you can never take it back. You might be right that the transit has many benefits for everyone in the SAARC, but you fail to consider that SAARC itself is a total failure. There's hostilities between almost everyone within the union and taking such a huge step should be reviewed cautiously before just accepting without even thinking the consequences.
I don't mind at all, in fact I welcome criticism, especially the ones backed with at least some facts. What I don't welcome are personal attacks, it just derails the whole thing.
Yes I know the SAARC is a weak union at best. At times I have come to think the union should be disbanded, and Bangladesh join ASEAN instead. The transit would improve communications, trade and create jobs - no doubt. This can ease the unemployment problems we have in parts of Bangladesh.
As far as hostilities go, the best thing we can do is just get out of the way in the hostilities between countries like China and India. They are both very powerful neighbors. We are very far away from Pakistan, so we could care less. Best to be neutral in that case. But I can honestly say that China is a more reliable partner (we really couldn't always trust India).
Awami league has no bargaining chips with India. Did you even see how the deal was accepted? No negotiation no nothing. Do you think it was right for awami league to take such a big leap w.o even trying to bargain and put some conditions on India too?
I know I will not be able to convince you, but let's look at two possible scenarios. Either A, we all benefit from the deal and we are all happy. or B, for some reason it doesn't work, who will still have to pay for the transit? And one billion dollar is a lot of money, and even if the project is successful, don't you think we could do much more with that kind of money? Why not help our business sector? Why not subsidise the garments industry, which recently became a total joke?
The first mistake that idiot Hasina regime did was that it gave the whole cake to India, yes THE WHOLE CAKE. When it comes to such important matters in diplomacy, we shouldn't just compromise everything in a particular matter both in the present and the future implications. The current long-standing issues between India and Bangladesh are a result of our government's stupidity, and it is fair to say that the AL is
poora Indiar dalal. Indian bureaucracy is slow and India is stingy by nature.
The transit would also connect to China and Burma. China is a big and a growing market for Bangladeshi made garments. Bangladesh has a potent shoe manufacturing sector. And can do so cheaply and at the right quality.
The finance for the transit is provided by foreign institutions and partly by the government. Yes, $1 billion is a lot of money, but it wouldn't make much difference if it isn't implemented anyways. It would wind up in the pockets of MPs in the end. At least it is good that the money is being implemented for something - i.e the transit.
The garments industry is doing fine, even if there are some downs due to recession in the West and rising cotton prices due to natural disasters in other countries like Pakistan and China. These setbacks are only temporary. I think this industry has good potential to grow more.
And studying past records of govt built infrastructure, we can all bet that this project will take much longer than its intends too. Don't forget the corruption in between.
Indians maybe laughing now, but wait till ULFA members and other banned terrorist orgs get a hand on this transit. It will be laughing its off.
I don't know what to say about this. Yes, there is corruption, but it is really something that we have all become accustomed to in everyday Bangladeshi life. Really wish that politicians were less corrupt. Just put up $1 billion in the government, and it'll all be gobbled up in seconds. hehehe, our politicians are greedy. All we can do is hope that corruption goes down to an acceptable limit.
As far as the ULAF goes, it should be part of our responsibility to deny haven to terrorists and armed foreign groups on Bangladeshi territory. I mean, why should we give haven to armed foreign groups? I hope the Bangladesh military take this seriously other than complaining. That complaining part is not something the military should be doing, it is their job as soldiers to maintain security. Harboring foreign armed groups, both intentional and non-intentional can be very dangerous to Bangladesh, especially considering we are a Muslim majority country. Best thing is to just kick those gringos out our territory. ULAF activities on Indian territory is India's responsibility.
If we look at the transit in the long run, it is a good thing. Both India and China are advancing in all aspects. With that happening, we will soon follow. If no transit and communications, then it would only hinder us in the long term. That is why I support the transit, despite the odds.