BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

BANGLADESH-US RELATIONS AND THE INDO-PACIFIC: INFLUENCE OF SYSTEMIC AND SUB-SYSTEMIC FACTORS AND WAY FORWARD

Author: A.S.M. Tarek Hassan Semul

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2024v45n1a1

ABSTRACT

Scholarly works on Bangladesh-US relations largely tend to be viewed from an asymmetric lens. Such a perspective fails to bring a nuanced understanding of a bilateral relationship that has evolved and been complicated by the emergence of an over-encompassing geopolitical construct such as the Indo-Pacific. Given China’s rise and the creation of small power constellations, it has been increasingly difficult to sustain the liberal order that the US built in the post- WWII phase and consolidated following the end of the Cold War. Against this backdrop, the article analyses the evolving dynamics of Bangladesh-US relations within the context of the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly focusing on the Indo-Pacific region. It scrutinises systemic and sub-systemic factors influencing these relations, delving into Bangladesh’s strategic manoeuvring amid its associations with its key partners and neighbours such as China and India. Examining key policy documents, the article elucidates the nuanced considerations shaping Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Furthermore, it explores Bangladesh’s attempts to navigate great power competition, proposing potential pathways forward. The article advocates for Bangladesh’s expanded engagement with global actors, citing BRICS and RCEP as viable avenues. It concludes by emphasising the imperative for Bangladesh to navigate these geopolitical shifts to realise its developmental aspirations and secure strategic autonomy in a multipolar world.