Visible Friends Author: AZIZUS SAMAD AZAD The Chanukah and Confucian theories have been in the helm of the geo political equation in this part of the world for the last few decades. Indians followed Chanukah as holy guiding principles as the final chapter of their diplomacy. Chanakya is not only considered a great thinker and diplomat but also one of the earliest people who envisaged the united India spanning the entire subcontinent. On the other hand, Chinese took up typical social philosophy of great Confucianism as their mantle force to be influenced in the region in their policies, revolving mainly around his quote that “If you would govern a state of a thousand chariots (a small-to-middle-size state), you must pay strict attention to business, be true to your word, be economical in expenditure and love the people. You should use them according to the seasons (i.e. you should not enlist farmers during seeding or harvest time). We must not overlook another guiding force of this region i.e, Americans. They always followed the “Quick Cowboy Solutions and cut throat policies” in the pursuance of their objectives and sacrificed their youth force all over the world. That is their tragic inbuilt in their 200 hundreds years old heritage. Now ironically Americans (Obama Administration) are looking at South Asians with the periscope of Indian perspective, which would not stand for long to fulfill their objectives and at the same time to the other side of the Asia, the possible China-Russia Alliance is debated by the American policy makers as antithetical to the world’s progress. By the end of 19th century USA evolved “Monroe Doctrine” to follow for strengthening its foothold in the potential South American Markets by defeating then European Super Powers. The Monroe Doctrine was a superlative U.S. foreign policy statement. It was precipitated by various independence movements in South America and the U.S. governments desire to discourage European nations from colonizing the Americas and a growing American nationalism. The doctrine claimed that the Americans ......are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers. In the early 1900s, the Monroe Doctrine proved its power. President Theodore Roosevelt aggressively enforced it during the Venezuela Border Dispute and in securing the independence of Cuba from abusive Spanish rule. Though there was doubt whether USA had ability to implement it but with the help of British, USA applied this Doctrine successfully in their soil. However, after end of the Second World War, Marshal Plan was drawn up by the USA and allies for construction of Europe, which was out rightly rejected by the other remerging Soviet power leading with a communist block representing a different economic system, who was also interested to catch the European market in its net. Soviet Block alleged that, it is USA policy towards Europe to capture the market. Even though Check-Slovakia and Polish were representing Soviet block but their strong interest to this plan proved how the Marshal plan dismantled the Europe by igniting divergent views. As a result, within 3 years of war’s devastation, Europe reconstructed itself and excelled. But mean while the emergence of China as another Communist state after the falling empire of USSR increased fear of USA for loosing potential markets rapidly in rest of the world. Although during implementation of this Marshal Plan, USA tried to use India too by grant of 255 million Dollars aid but it all went futile as Indians finally joined pro Russian Non Alliance Movement. Chinese were considered sleeping dragon and that’s why the Americans kept trying to chain the Flying fire oozing dragon right from the beginning too with in whole some policies followed by USA time to time along with the other strategic subterfuges. Keeping China as a main objective, USA tried to enter Korean Peninsula using Japanese foot hold but failed and left the peninsula keeping the job half done. It is said that, during that Korean War, sacrifice of around 3 lacs Chinese soldiers in whole of this episode, USA could not succeed in its strategic plan. As an out come of all this failures, USA finally succeeded to open diplomatic channel with the China through Pakistan and so USA was turned towards Pakistan as a special friend. After that failure in KJorea, USA tried to reach Chinese border through Vietnam War. Their first footsteps were imprinted in Thailand. Alongside used blue ribbon movement, dethroned Cambodian Prince Norodom Shihanuk(a moderate and secular political personality) and tried botched Vietnam war to reach near to the China Border but again failed. In the eighties after embarrassing defeat of Soviet by Afghans, which proved catalyst to break up of USSR, USA emerged as the unchallenged single superpower of the world. Pakistan played a very pivotal role in this devastating war which completely disintegrated the Communist nexus directly threatening USA right under its belly too. For the first time USA was satisfied with the out come of the war and left it as less important agenda thus in lurch to let the Taliban flourish which gradually kept increasing their foot hold thus created a cancer causing a devastating blow to the peace of the world. On the other side Indians are benefiting by this status because of American’s old policy of bringing the other historical enemy more closer to use against each other as and when suits. In fifties Korea war and Vietnam war in attempts to reach China but finally it proved a catastrophic blow for USA for its dream to come true. As Pakistan could not be used in Tibet due to location of China or China –Pakistan relationship or as Kashmir being a critical issue linked with India-Pakistan. Therefore it would not wonder us if this time USA strategic preponderance might shift a little west to reach Myanmar and Bangladesh or may be looking for setting up a military base in Nepal, which has been very strongly denounced as a preempt by the China, for its impatience to reach out to soft belly of China. Though Middle East was centre of the focal point of Western world since long and so they got involved in so many wars in that region but USA has no reason to keep war going in Middle East. How ever it would prefer to continue as a fuming abscess for exploitation of Middle East rich countries once Iran is forced for no fly zone to the 30 degrees latitude to divide Iran. In the existing Geo Strategic favors, Indians as a consistent follower of Chanakya policy may be interested to use this opportunity to create its own sphere of influence in the region. Historical friendship with Russia and importance of economic benefit with china may tempt India to create new china-India- Russia nexus thus giving a new regional Geo economic dimension which would lead the Indians for more advantageous values within the regional dominance perspective being a very bigger country with a large population located at a very important strategic hinge. A socially and economically developed powerful India with especially controlling liberalized loose confederation of countries around in this region may intensify the Indian leadership’s aspiration to choose its own way to be the competitive in the new world’s sphere and follow their own carved policy conflicting to USA. Therefore, USA may also not over look the open cheque given to Indians, as of then England, for implementing Monro’s doctrine in this region may become boomeranged to the objectives of USA. There is a possibility that USA may not be able to use Myanmar as well being in the peculiar and historical back ground of relations with China. USA should be considering East of India as easy way to reach soft belly of china offering not only a very strong and safe corridor to sustain operational capabilities for East ward move but also space to strangulate the Sea supply line along with engulfing the Indian expansionist designs. So, USA needs to prefer its relations with Bangladesh and might have to consider Bangladesh the first landing country as stronghold for America. Only transit facilities and shallow water relations may not develop the confidence of the Bangladeshi leadership to be front line state for consolidation stage to up Eastward move. Transit facility received by India gives opportunity to the USA to use Bangladesh land but still it bars USA presence in Bangladesh. Although, through finalization of TIFA treaty USA is advancing to make its soldiers unhindered movement but certainly it is not enough umbrella to develop deep understanding for better relation through people to people contacts. Under the given circumstances in the face of India USA collaboration, Chinese likely scope of economic development and near proximity in the region we have to wait and see how our political decision makers discharge their duty of patriotism by keeping itself out of this conflict while exploiting benefit for the people of Bangladesh. Political situation in Bangladesh is not yet matured. Position of present political opponent is not strong in regional international or national level. Government can be criticized much yet it could not be managed by the opponent as it failed to present a strong logic in their statements opposing actions of the Government because of success rate of ruling party in taking good decision. Taking over of state power by military as a third alternative is also not acceptability option under the circumstances. Political leadership is needed to be united with the attitude of sacrificing self interest for good cause of strong nationalism to bring democratic powers to the same platform for collective development by strengthening parliamentary democracy. Politicking void ideology, absence of patriotism, jealousy, greed to go to power by any mean and inadequate number of friendly countries abolish the possibility of development of Bangladesh as a separate entity. Some time Political leaders do talk about without understanding that” Bangladesh is being turned in to Bhutan or Sikkim”. If situation took a wrong turn due to our incompetence mishandling, I wonder Bangladesh might turned in to a Chambal valley. Where would be our friends? Near East, middle East, Far East, Europe or America? There is enough logic to believe that if instead of 9months of our liberation struggle had it lasted for nine years still India would have been our side for not only from the view point of humanity but India extracted huge political and economic interest too. Besides, Since Bangladesh became independent, military command of Eastern India got relieved for ever to be utilized some where else for better critical options and this advantageous strategic better balance tilted towards Indians is such an ever ripping benefits which can not be measured in money amount. However, sacrifice and contribution made by India is worth remembering with gratitude by us. However, if we can not extend our hands forward to all on the basis of equality and fairness, If a nation looses its dignity and self respect then there will be no friends in the North South East West, except the enemies; geographic boundary or sovereignty has very small impact over that.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:25:49 +0000
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