Sino-Bangladesh road link

[nanmun]

Bangladesh has the right to form alliances with which ever country it chooses. India has the right to show its displeasure if it doesn't like. India is only showing its concern and that is okay with any government. That's what all diplomacy is about.


Anyways, the article lacks foundation. I would like to see any official statements from both the governments before thinking about this issue.

 

[Skies]

Asian Highway Bill
Shafqat Seattle, USA

The government of Bangladesh is unnecessarily dragging its feet to sign and ratify the Asian Highway Treaty and have now put itself on the verge of excluding itself from this network. The highway will connect over 53 countries of Asia from the Mediterranean to the Korean peninsula and will possibly be the backbone of future trade and transportation in the entire continent and with Europe. But since the beginning, there have been reports of Bangladesh disagreeing with the network route and tried many times to change its alignment without success.

As it presently stands, the highway enters into Bangladesh from India and goes back into India. Bangladesh wanted to initiate a route that connects it with Southeast Asia as well going through Chittagong and Myanmar. But as it appears, none of our partners in that region, be it Myanmar or China, are interested. Bangladesh even offer to construct a section of the route in Myanmar that is in poor shape with its own funds. Myanmar is not even interested to renew the existing border trade deals with Bangladesh anymore. So what is our incentive of the new road if there is no use? But we seem to be following the 'Go East' policy like a holy citation though the 'East' is not interested. If Thailand and the Malay peninsula is our preferred destination, we have to realise that without the cooperation of Myanmar it is not possible.


The route that goes through Northeastern India can be used to transport goods to and from East Asia and we should be prepared to do just that. Leaving ourselves out of this network will only cause more damage to us. The policy makers in Bangladesh may be afraid of trusting India on this, but as our geography dictates, sooner or later the cross-border movement of goods and trade will be a reality and it would only harm us if we are not prepared for it. If we are reluctant to give India the transshipment facilities through our land - naturally they would be reluctant too to facilitate our trade with other countries through Indian territory. We have to reach some sort of balanced agreement on this at some point.


If we can persuade Myanmar in the future, and invest in the road-link wisely, countries like India, China, Thailand will be interested in using it for their own sake. That road may serve as a vital link between the ballooning giant economy of India and the East. So I urge the government to agree to the Asian Highway Bill immediately and start working for the Myanmar-Thailand link as a side project. In addition, we should prepare ourselves for increased land trade in the future with Nepal, India, Bhutan and countries in Asia. We will have to use Indian territory in most cases and we should be prepared to let our land be used by India for the same reason. We cannot escape geography - thus we should make the best use of it.


2005

 

[Skies]

SonarBangladesh.com

Asian Highway : Truth in the Map
Golam Ahmed Tuhin

Published: 2009-12-01


PURPOSE OF ASIAN HIGHWAY:
According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the purposes of Asian Highway are framed as following table:

Bangladesh's current situation:
• Bangladesh already is connected with India through different highway root. Among them, Benapole (connects Jessore division with West Bengal), Sona-Masjid (connects Rajshahi division with north of West Bengal), Hilli (connects Dinajpur with Northern West Bengal), Tamabil (connects Sylhet Division with Meghalaya), Jokigonj (connects Sylhet Division with Assam), Akhaura (connects Comilla with Tripura). Besides those, Bangladesh is also connected with India through many other borders).
• Goods are pouring into Bangladesh from India through all those borders.
• Compared to the amount of goods imported from India, Bangladesh is exporting less than one tenth of its goods to India through those borders, since India has many restrictions to import Bangladeshi goods.
• As per ESCAP's definition, the benefits of connecting Asian Highway for Bangladesh is to increase it's business tie with India, China (Kunming), Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. (In short, it is to accelerate business with all south-east Asian countries and Kunming (China).
• There is no way we can get extra business by Asian Highway from India as we are already connected with India by so many highways through different points (see the map).
• Currently, many goods arrive in Chittagong port from different countries of the World and some of them are exported to Seven Sisters (eastern states of India) from Bangladesh by using highways through Akhaura, Jokygonj and Tamabil (Sylhet) borders.


BENEFITS OF ASIAN HIGHWAY FOR BANGLADESH:
1. Connecting Kunming City of China with shortest distance for doing better businesses.
2. Connecting South-East Asian countries i.e. Thailand (Bangkok), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore, and Indonesia (Jakarta), Vietnam and Cambodia by land with possible shortest distance for doing better businesses as well.
3. Connecting India, Nepal and Bhutan for also doing better businesses to minimize trade deficit with them. We must need to mention that India is already connected with Bangladesh through many Highways and Water routes.

How will India gain its business with Proposed Asian Highway (the way India does want)?
• India will transport its goods from West Bengal to Seven Sisters and vice versa easily as they don't need to travel extra thousand of kilometers. Thus export from Bangladesh to Seven Sisters will be reduced or end.
• From Seven Sisters states, India will export its products to all South-East Asian countries easily via Myanmar (Burma) (they don't need to travel through Bangladesh). This will deprive Bangladesh from its desire to do business with South East Asian countries.
• India can do a better business from Seven Sisters to Kunming area of China thus Bangladesh must deprive from her desire to do business with China (Kunming).
• More goods will be imported to Bangladesh from India in more efficient way.

How Bangladesh will lose its business with Proposed Asian Highway (the way India wants)?
1. Bangladesh will have to travel extra thousand of Kilometer path to reach in the same destination in Myanmar from where different routes start toward Kunming(China), Myanmar(Burma), Thailand, Hanoi(Vietnam), Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia as the proposed route goes from Sylhet to Meghalaya- Assam-Nagaland-Manipur and then Myanmar. Travelling of additional thousand kilometers will take at least two days of extra time for the trucks or buses as those are hill areas and the speed cannot be higher. Whereas reaching in the same destination in Myanmar, we just need to travel only 30 miles away from Chittagong. In addition, the above mentioned countries can be traveled easily from there too.
2. There will be no need of Bangladeshi goods for Seven Sisters as they will get Indian products easily from West Bengal area using Asian Highway via Bangladesh (West Bengal-Jessore-Sylhet-Seven Sister proposed route).
3. Bangladesh will be flooded with Indian goods more easily using Asian Highway proposed route.
4. Because of reason # 1, there will be no way for Bangladesh to do business with China or any of the South-East Asian countries using the proposed Asian Highway. On the contrary, India will occupy all the businesses and solely benefited by using proposed Highway.
5. Because of the same reason, Bangladesh will be poorer (as the current level of export will stop to India) and India will be the most gainer.
6. Because of the same reason, Chittagong port will lose its strength (business).


Why we should connect Asian Highway via Chittagong?
1. We can reach more easily to the same spot in Myanmar by traveling only 30 miles from south of Chittagong from where we can go to any other countries like Kunming(China), Myanmar, Thailand, Hanoi (Vietnam), Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
2. Bangladesh can easily be connected with India, Nepal or Bhutan in a better way. Travelling to Nepal, we need only 40 miles road through India. Thus Chittagong port can be more dynamic as shipped goods can easily be reached to Nepal and Bhutan and even to many Indian States. This may reduce trade gap between India and Bangladesh.
3. Bangladesh will be more secured in terms of business and security.
4. India also can be benefited by importing goods from Bangladesh by using Chittagong port.


Now the general questions:
1. Is there any benefit for Bangladesh to follow India proposed route for Asian Highway?
2. Does India-proposed Asian Highway fulfill any of ESCAP's five purposes for Bangladesh?
3. Can anybody show us just one example that Bangladesh would be benefited by India-proposed Asian highway?
4. Isn't the India-proposed Asian Highway fully for India's benefit?
5. Why don't we build only 30 miles of road from Chittagong to Myanmar to connect Asian Highway that will be the most benefited for Bangladesh?

I would like to challenge anyone including ADB or WB Presidents to come and explain us how India-proposed highway will bring more benefit for Bangladesh for which they are shouting for.

Data source:
Asia Times Online :: Global Economy - Asian Highway network gathers speed
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Transport Division
Asian Highway Network - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://untreaty.un.org/English/Asian_Highway/map.pdf

Red circled area shows the Indian States that are considered as seven sisters



This document was prepared by Golam Ahmed Tuhin, a senior Engineer and freelance journalist, working at Honda Motor Company, Ohio, USA. Email: golam2001@hotmail.com

 

[Spring Onion]

Good,the news proves that awami league is not indian stooges as portrayed by some people.I really appreciate sheik hasina for developing ties with china along with india.Other than that ,Every country(except pakistan) does what it suits it's interests and it is fine as long as force or terrorism is used as means to achieve it.China have every right to increase it's ties with bangladesh(and it is doing it by helping them,which should be appreciated)But india will be concerned about china increasing it's influence in bangladesh just the same way chinese will be concerned about increasing ties of vietnam and usa.That is how the world works.

The project was perceived much before her visit as PM

Lolzz Chinese do not have concern if India increasing its ties with USA but indeed they will if you host anti-China lama.

BD is an independent country why India should have any right to object to her development project with China or any other country

 

[Skies]

What India cannot tell us in public is that if there is a road or railway connection between China and Bangladesh, our dependence on India will diminish to the minimum level. And India will not be able to control our market and policies according to its will. Through such link Bangladesh will develop its trade transactions also with Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations. Now India does its monopoly business in Bangladesh. It fixes the rate of its commodities and imposes it on Bangladesh. On the other hand India using this monopoly business let loose its stooges to propagate to create such a belief among the Bangladeshis: asking how we will exist if India seals its border and stops exporting its commodities to Bangladesh. On several occasions India shamelessly put covert and overt embargo on exporting its commodities to Bangladesh. Anytime India can stops its export to collapse the country and its government and compel our government to swallow undue and suicidal agreements undermining our interest and sovereignty. We have no other alternative but to use our border with Myanmar. Once we will be able to open our border to eastward it will end India’s monopoly business and its master-like attitude. More importantly such link will jeopardize India’s dream to put Bangladesh into its pound. These are the main reasons of India’s furious reaction.

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May God give us another way to be dependent. We are sick of Indian monopoly dependency that gives room to India to interfere in our freedom of choice for our weakness.

BD should compromise (if any) with Burma and make friendship with Burma if we think about the priority and intensity of BD’s interests. BD should take facilities of Burmese lands, roads and agriculture.


Oh, think the scenario where there is no transit for India via BD and we have transit via Burma to China and elsewhere. Then how will BDF act? May be 10 killing/day out of hated, lol.

 

[sunny001]

nut they are not breaking ties with india! so indian market will be there also..

Clearly you do not know geopolitics. If Bangladesh cozy-up with China against India's will, would India still give preferential access to Bangladesh goods? Think before commenting.

 

[Skies]

Lolzz Chinese do not have concern if India increasing its ties with USA but indeed they will if you host anti-China lama.

BD is an independent country why India should have any right to object to her development project with China or any other country

LoL, right. PK has well collaboration with USA and China at a same time but China has no concern for that. It's poor-BD that confined itself into India-dependency only, sadly!

 

[sunny001]

What India cannot tell us in public is that if there is a road or railway connection between China and Bangladesh, our dependence on India will diminish to the minimum level. And India will not be able to control our market and policies according to its will. Through such link Bangladesh will develop its trade transactions also with Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations. Now India does its monopoly business in Bangladesh. It fixes the rate of its commodities and imposes it on Bangladesh. On the other hand India using this monopoly business let loose its stooges to propagate to create such a belief among the Bangladeshis: asking how we will exist if India seals its border and stops exporting its commodities to Bangladesh. On several occasions India shamelessly put covert and overt embargo on exporting its commodities to Bangladesh. Anytime India can stops its export to collapse the country and its government and compel our government to swallow undue and suicidal agreements undermining our interest and sovereignty. We have no other alternative but to use our border with Myanmar. Once we will be able to open our border to eastward it will end India’s monopoly business and its master-like attitude. More importantly such link will jeopardize India’s dream to put Bangladesh into its pound. These are the main reasons of India’s furious reaction.

.........................................................................................................................
^
May God give us another way to be dependent. We are sick of Indian monopoly dependency that gives room to India to interfere in our freedom of choice for our weakness.

BD should compromise (if any) with Burma and make friendship with Burma if we think about the priority and intensity of BD’s interests. BD should take facilities of Burmese lands, roads and agriculture.


Oh, think the scenario where there is no transit for India via BD and we have transit via Burma to China and elsewhere. Then how will BDF act? May be 10 killing/day out of hated, lol.

Burma wouldn't act against India because of their economic interests. If BDF kills 10 out of spite, how many would Indian army would kill just for pleasure.

 

[Maira La]

Burma wouldn't act against India because of their economic interests. If BDF kills 10 out of spite, how many would Indian army would kill just for pleasure.

sunny:

Your comments and analysis are the least intelligent among all Indians, PK and BD in this forum. Didn't have enough nutritious food during childhood or did evolution fail you? Regardless, I don't want to know actually. What I want to know is: why do you keep talking out of your a$$?

Your first post mentions BD has to use Indian land to connect with China. And where the hell did you get that $hitty idea? It's general knowledge that BD is constructing a road through Myanmar to connect with China. All the rest in your first post is not even worth discussing.

Then you proceed to talk about Pak-China trade imbalance with an "I am God" attitude. You failed to impress us, by first going off topic, and then with your sheer lack of economics knowledge. Can you please please, please, tell us, what makes you think the Pak-China trade gap causes huge economic strain on Pakistan? Do you have any idea of how value adding on raw materials work? Any idea how Pakistan benefits from its trade with China by exporting value added products to western countries? No you don't, and you won't till you stop acting God here and go brush up your common sense.

And now you threaten us with your "My big daddy indian army will kill you all!" rhetoric"? Oooh this coward here is soo scared of you brave son of a gun.. but hey know what? I am more intelligent than you because I know "BDF" is a typo and Skies meant "BSF" lol. So did most people here figure that out. Typos can be forgiven, but hatred-filled low IQ posts lower the forum's quality. Either post intelligently, or don't post at all my friend.

 

[IndianRobo]

How exactly is This Possible, care to explain, Bangladesh does not border with China at all.... If the road Passes through India, Its Obviously our Concern

 

[Maira La]

Clearly you do not know geopolitics. If Bangladesh cozy-up with China against India's will, would India still give preferential access to Bangladesh goods? Think before commenting.

And you know geopolitics? It's getting funnier. Bangladesh had built a strong strategic friendship with China way before your birth. India does not provide any preferential trade access. The few pieces of garments allowed duty-free makes no $hitty difference.

 

[Maira La]

How exactly is This Possible, care to explain, Bangladesh does not border with China at all.... If the road Passes through India, Its Obviously our Concern

IndianRobo: It doesn't pass through India. It passes through Myanmar. And that's why India is concerned, because this enables BD to get rid of its trade dependence on India.

 

[Spring Onion]

Nah,Dude Pakistan and Bangladesh are the super powers...Huge army,huge economy.

Then why India is so much worried if Weak BD increases its links with China and week Pakistan gets some old not-modern F-162.

If only huge army and huge economy could have save the day then India would not have been a cry baby

 

[Spring Onion]

Bangladesh is a new k!d in the business,they need to be made aware of the dirty Chinese mentality.They aren't doing anything for BD's favor,its their interest,which maybe preparing for a prominent threat "India"

Opppsss it is only India that is doing anything out of charity for Bangladeshis and not for Indian interests.



It is in best interests of BD to get closer to China and distance itself from Indian influence for the Chinese support is always without strings as compared to others

 

[Spring Onion]

How exactly is This Possible, care to explain, Bangladesh does not border with China at all.... If the road Passes through India, Its Obviously our Concern

It does not pass through India. besides the rail road link is not the omly thing which India wants to stop but use of Chitagong port by Chinese, permission for which have been given by BD is also a PIA for Indians.


(1)Bangladesh’s bid to forge closer ties with China by offering transit rights and seeking to establish road and rail links between Chittagong and Kunming has irked India. (2) According to sources, what had upset India was Dhaka’s offer of the same trade and transit facilities like access to Chittagong Port to China. (3) Dhaka has agreed to allow Beijing to use its Chittagong Port facility, as it was offered to India. The Government of Bangladesh has offered to upgrade the facility, enhancing its efficiency and capacity. Further, Bangladesh has sought China’s assistance for its proposed deep sea port in the Bay of Bengal, as part of the ‘Look East Policy’ initiated by the previous BNP regime, sources said.