Asia's biggest two powers China and India have not been in the history of Bangladesh in the past 47 years, in the way they have been in the geopolitical rivalry in recent times. This contradiction has become so intense in recent years that the interest in South Asia's geopolitics has been studied, and there is also growing interest in them.
Only this week, two companies based in the United States and Australia have published two articles. 'China and India's Geopolitical Tage of War for Bangladesh', an article published by a research organization 'East Asia Forum' in Australia. That is, China and India's geopolitical conflict fight with Bangladesh. '
And according to the New York-based 'World Policy Review', the 'Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars' has published the opinion of a researcher. The title of their work, Why India and China and Computing for Better Ties with Bangladesh 'That is why there is so much competition between India and China to build a good relationship with Bangladesh?
There are several observations and analyzes of China and India relations, business-trade, security cooperation, Bangladesh's politics and elections, and the conflict between these two large powers to influence the country, both of which are written.
Where is the car?
India and China, together with two countries, have close economic-trade and military cooperation relationship. However, the relationship between Bangladesh and Bangladesh is considered to be more important for historical, political, cultural and religious reasons.
In the article published in the East Asia Forum, Forrest Cookson and Tom Felix Jovanak say that both countries are mainly trying to use trade in an effort to influence Bangladesh.
Both countries are in a convenient position to trade with Bangladesh. Both countries have huge trade surplus with Bangladesh. They publish a comparative picture of the trade of the two countries in their writings.
China exports about 16 to 17 billion dollars of goods in Bangladesh, while imports from Bangladesh worth only $ 75 million. They give $ 1 billion a year in aid to Bangladesh. However, during the 2016 visit to China, China's President Xi Jinping announced a grant of 24 billion or two billion worth four billion dollars.
On the other hand, India exports about 8 billion dollars of dollars annually by exporting to Bangladesh. But by importing only $ 26 million. But there are many 'informal trade' or illegal trade between the two countries, which is essentially in favor of India. It is thought to be equal to two to three billion dollars. The remittance sent by the Indians who work in Bangladesh will be two to four billion dollars. India gives foreign aid to India, which is equivalent to fifteen million dollars annually.
Infrastructure sector competition
Both countries are offering comprehensive assistance to Bangladesh's infrastructure sector. Two countries interested in large-scale railway projects in Bangladesh. Both countries have huge interest in setting up deep sea port. But these projects are not too far. India has received the task of establishing a coal-fired power plant near Bangladesh's Sundarbans, which has been facing some real and environmental challenges.
Forrest Cookson and Tom Felix Jovanak say Bangladesh has not benefited from the China-India competition in the infrastructure sector. On the other hand, China or India in the manufacturing and energy sector of Bangladesh, no one is in big investment. Although they showed interest in such investments.
China has been a major supplier of military sector in Bangladesh for many years. India was lagging behind, now they are fast approaching China. But the question of the value of Indian military equipment is Bangladesh.
Wherever India is ahead of China, its cultural influence on Bangladesh. Forrest Cookson and Tom Felix Jovanak say this effect is very comprehensive. Both countries have common language (Bengali) and culture, and Kolkata is still a major center. At least one million students of Bangladesh are studying in the schools and colleges-universities of India.
In contrast, China's cultural influence is insignificant. China established a Confucius Institute in Dhaka. There are Chinese languages taught.
In-house politics question on position
Forest Cucusan and Tom Felix Jovan, opposition BNP political party