Dhaka:
China has warned Bangladesh against joining the US-led Quad alliance, saying that Dhaka’s participation in the anti-Beijing “club” would outcome in “substantial damage” to bilateral relations.
The uncommon warning from Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming came weeks immediately after going to Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe emphasied to Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid that Beijing and Dhaka really should make joint efforts against powers from outdoors the area establishing a “military alliance” in South Asia and practising “hegemonism”.
“Obviously it will not be a good idea for Bangladesh to participate in this small club of four (Quad) because it will substantially damage our bilateral relationship,” Ambassador Li stated at a virtual meeting organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh on Monday.
Reacting to the Chinese envoy’s controversial remarks, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen stated Dhaka maintains a non-aligned and balanced foreign policy and it will choose what to do according to these principles.
“We’re an independent and sovereign state. We decide our (own) foreign policy. But yes, any country can uphold its position,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“Naturally, he (Chinese ambassador) represents a country. They can say what they want. Maybe they don’t want it (Bangladesh joining the Quad),” Mr Momen stated, adding that no one from the Quad has approached Bangladesh however.
The comment has been preemptive, the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency reported, quoting stated the foreign minister as saying.
Initiated in 2007, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, Quad for quick, is an informal grouping of India, the US, Australia and Japan.
“Quad is a small group of elites working against China,” Ambassador Li stated.
“Quad says it is only for economic purposes and security and so on. But that’s not true. We know that Quad is aimed at China,” the envoy was quoted as saying by BDNews24.com news portal and other newspapers.
Japan, with each other with the US, has stated it really clearly they are participating in [Quad] mainly because of China, Mr Li stated.
Li described the Quad as a “narrow-purposed” geopolitical clique, and Bangladesh really should not join it as the nation will not derive any advantage from the initiative.
“History has proved again and again such partnership surely damages our neighbours’ own social, economic development and people’s well-being,” Mr Li was quoted as saying by the UNB news agency.
Chinese Defence Minster Gen Wei, who visited Dhaka on April 27 had stated that to jointly keep regional peace and stability, China and Bangladesh “should make joint efforts against powers outside the region setting up military alliance in South Asia and practicing hegemonism.”
China has vehemently opposed the formation of the Quad with a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman emphasising in March that exchanges and cooperation involving nations really should aid expand mutual understanding and trust, rather of targeting or harming the interests of third parties.
The 4 Quad member nations have resolved to uphold a guidelines-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid developing Chinese assertiveness in the strategically essential area.
The very first summit of the Quad leaders was hosted by US President Joe Biden on March 12 and the virtual meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
The 4 Quad leaders have vowed to strive for an Indo-Pacific area that is cost-free, open, inclusive, healthful, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion, sending an clear message to China against its aggressive actions in the area.
During Monday’s virtual occasion, the Chinese ambassaor also raised the possibility of China aiding Bangladesh’s efforts on the Teesta River management project, stating that their involvement in the project would be seriously considered’ as soon as Dhaka submitted a feasibility report.
The Bangladesh government had however to formally propose that China take portion in the project, he stated.
The Teesta River management project would dredge and embank substantial portions of the river in order to kind a single, manageable channel.
Mr Li dismissed issues that water sharing disputes involving Bangladesh and India could have an effect on the project.
I consider it is the reputable correct of Bangladeshi individuals to create this type of project inside the reduce attain of a shared river, he stated. If this was made in the upper reaches, you would have to seek the advice of the opinions of nations from the reduce reaches. But as you are constructing it in the reduce reaches, I never consider there are any sensitive troubles, Li was quoted as saying.
The Teesta deal was set to be signed through then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s pay a visit to to Bangladesh in September, 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to objections raised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Ms Banarjee had expressed sturdy reservations against providing Bangladesh a higher share of water from the Teesta river.
The concern also figured through Prime Minister Modi’s pay a visit to to Bangladesh in March through which he reiterated India’s “sincere and continued efforts” to conclude the Teesta water-sharing agreement in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
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