After the coup of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, there is currently an interim government. She is changing her foreign policy rapidly. His attitude has coldness for older colleagues, while an association with Southeast Asian countries is visible. There is a discussion that Dhaka can join a group of ASEAN countries. Learn, what is ASEAN, and Bangladesh after becoming a part of it? Can it be a threat to India in any way?
ASEAN is a faction of Southeast Asian countries, which aim to interact and promote business. It has countries like Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Apart from geographical location, these countries are also connected on religious grounds, because most of the countries are Muslim-bound. For some time, Bangladesh is also showing interest in it. But till now the group did not indicate that it will add a new member to its group.
Are ASEAN countries scared about Dhaka
ASEAN countries are not a military group, but their big focus was on trade and diplomacy. This is the reason why these countries do not get trapped directly in any digestion. The interesting thing is that these groups have been maintaining with all the big forces. For example, even though Indonesia is a Muslim country, and also supports Palestine, he will not hate America diplomatically. Even after the same group, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos remained closer to China. The total deposit is that whatever benefit in business, the country will be with it.
Some time ago, Bangladesh’s interim advisor Mohammad Yunus wanted to take the help of Malaysia and Indonesia to join ASEAN. According to the Australian Institute of International Affairs report, Younus introduced his country as a link between SAARC and ASEAN countries. Let us know that SAARC is a group of South Asian countries, including 8 countries including Bangladesh. India is also part of it.
Why Dhaka is not being included then
ASEAN is so far the largest regional group outside Europe, whose market is made up of 680 million people. This can be a big opportunity for Bangladesh, which has suffered the pain of partition twice in less than 100 years and is now politically unstable. Almost all the countries of ASEAN are earning money by changing their economic structure. For example, if you take Vietnam, then he has become a manufacturing hub for electronics. Dhaka’s dreams are also big but they will not be fulfilled until it becomes a part of the local group. Along with this, he will get duty free access on the regional market.
ASEAN also has no less benefits than this. Geographically he is located in the place from where he works as a buffer for many countries. Also, the access of the Bay of Bengal is also to it. With this, the rest of the countries of the group can easily connect with India. Apart from this, more than 65 percent of Dhaka’s population is below 35 years of age.
More difficulties than the benefits, more difficulties
There are also reasons for more distance from ASEAN to connect Dhaka with himself. There are many problems with Bangladesh. The Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have been in Bangladesh for a long time, the local population there has become aggressive. The Dhaka government itself was also accused of discriminating against the refugees. Myanmar is already included in the ASEAN. In such a situation, his opposition will matter for the rest. Dhaka’s relations with India also changed in the last few months. This is also a big factor, which can bring fear in the mind of ASEAN that adding a new member should not disturb his peace.
Why Bangladesh could not become a member yet
ASEAN is originally an organization of countries in Southeast Asia, and Bangladesh is traditionally considered part of South Asia. ASEAN emphasizes cultural, historical and economic unity among its members, Dhaka falls apart in this case. Apart from this, this country was already a member of SAARC and ASEAN countries see it like a separate organization. Ways to add new members to ASEAN anyway remained very slow. At the end of the nineties, three countries joined it together, after which no new members were formed. ASEAN also stayed due to tension with Myanmar.
What will change with India
We are already trying to strengthen the relationship with ASEAN by working on the Act East Policy. In such a situation, if Bangladesh also joins this group, then the market for India will increase. However, it can also have a different effect. Increasing another member can make ASEAN even stronger, whose SAARC can also be weak, especially the situation as right now. Anyway, Dhaka is looking close to China by taking a diplomatic distance from India, in such a situation, more strength near Dhaka can be alarming for India.