CONSTRUCTION of the proposed deep seaport faces uncertainty as major regional and global powers have teamed up against China’s involvement in the multi-billion dollar infrastructure project in the country. It has now become a geo-political subject.
The countries opposing the Chinese funded ‘strategic installation’ feel threatened as they do not want China to dominate the Pacific region further, at least in the form of port-related investment, a senior secretary to the government, preferring anonymity, said – as reported by a local daily.
The bureaucratic source in the government confirmed that India, Japan and the United States have taken similar stance against Bangladesh government’s plan to go ahead with the Chinese proposal on construction of the deep seaport at Sonadia. The trio, however, have so far failed to offer an alternative financing arrangement.
‘Major regional and global countries remain firm to keep China out of the deep seaport construction as the countries have common interests,’ said a top ranking government official, who is also a member of the secretarial committee related to the deep seaport project, headed by the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, mentioned the report.
‘The government is unwilling at the moment to displease any of the influential countries over the deep seaport issue,’ the senior secretary added. The designated committed held at least three meetings in the last four months to finalise its position on the particular issue after the government in June (2014) had abruptly backtracked from signing a MoU with China for construction of the port in Sonadia, Cox’s Bazar.
Two facts are apparent here – firstly the present our government does not want to displease India and the US at China’s expense — and that it is an economic imperative that we need a deep seaport very badly in our national economic interest. Bangladesh’s share of international trade now stands at US$ 60 billion and it is projected to surpass US$ 100 billion within next five years. It is absolutely essential that we have a deep seaport because the existing seaports are becoming unsuitable for deep draft vessels.
What is immediately not so coherent is that why we have to satisfy other nations who are afraid of China’s growing powers -at our expense. If the US and India feel threatened by China’s financing and building of the deep seaport then they should come forward with an alternate means to finance it themselves – so far they have put no such proposals to Bangladesh government.
The government must take a firm stand on the issue. There should be no questions about our acceptance of China’s proposal unless someone comes up with a better one. No country which helps us to overcome our economic and strategic objectives should be snubbed to satisfy the whims of others. The incumbent in power must give up its present subservient mind-set to its mentors, especially India, and stand firm to do what is good for the country – be that deep seaport or Teesta Water Sharing.
