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Shariful Islam is an Assistant Professor in International Relations at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. He is the author of ‘Fifty Years of Bangladesh-India Relations: Issues, Challenges and Possibilities’ (2021, Pentagon Press, New Delhi) and co-author of ‘Covid-19 Global Pandemic and Aspects of Human Security in South Asia: Implications and Way Forward’ (2020, Pentagon Press, New Delhi). His research interests include foreign policy of Bangladesh, blue economy Diplomacy and economic diplomacy. Kamal Dev Bhattarai spoke to him to solicit his views on how Bangladesh deals with big powers, and particularly China.

Bangladesh occupies an important position geopolitically. How does it deal with big powers?

The location of Bangladesh makes it geo-strategically important for both regional and extra-regional powers. In addition, for many, Bangladesh has become a ‘development miracle’ from an ‘international basket case’. This rising socio-economic status of the country also attracts big powers. In fact, Bangladesh is one of the few countries that maintain warm relations with regional and extra-regional powers. Bangladesh sees big powers—i.e. US, Russia, China, Japan, India—as opportunities to strengthen the existing development and economic partnership.

How is Bangladesh maintaining balanced relations with India and China?

Bangladesh, under the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (2009-present), follows the foreign policy philosophy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, i.e. ‘friendship to all, malice to none’. Therefore, Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina views India and China as friends, as development partners. Bangladesh prioritizes economic diplomacy, the well-being of the people in formulating its foreign policy objectives. Therefore, Bangladesh is maintaining warm relations with both India and China, which is beneficial to the people of the country and beyond.

What lessons can Bangladesh offer to other South Asian countries on dealing with China?

In fact, every country’s context, geography, location and other foreign policy parameters are different. So there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. But Bangladesh is an interesting case to study how it maintains warm relations with both India and China. China and India are two largest trading and development partners of Bangladesh. In this case, the leaders of Bangladesh and their foreign policy philosophy helped develop warm relations with these two Asian giants. The current Prime Minister of Bangladesh is the daughter of Bangabandhu, the founding father of Bangladesh who formulated Bangladesh’s earlier-mentioned foreign policy principle.

Bangabandhu’s foreign policy principle helped Bangladesh emancipate its people from poverty and hunger, and to make it self-reliant. Therefore, Bangabandhu’s emphasis on economic diplomacy has inspired the current prime minister as well. Thus, Bangladesh prioritizes economic diplomacy in its international relations including in its relations with China which helped the country be a ‘development miracle’. In addition, Bangladesh negotiates and calculates well while taking Chinese loans so it does not fall under the so-called ‘debt trap’.

In fact, South Asian countries cannot afford to neglect China. They need to engage China constructively for economic gains, for the welfare and benefits of the people, rather than for the narrowly defined interest of a particular regime. In case of loans from China, South Asian countries including Nepal need to negotiate well for a better deal. The case of Sri Lanka should not be repeated.

Relations with India and China often become a domestic political agenda in South Asian countries. How is it in Bangladesh?

Some previous regimes in Bangladesh, particularly the BNP-Jamaat regime, used India, China for their political purposes. For instance, existing literature suggests that the ‘anti-India’ stand was a common feature in Bangladesh politics during the BNP-Jamaat regime. But after Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, Bangladesh deepened its ties with both India and China as the Hasina regime realized the importance of these two countries for the socio-economic uplift of the people of Bangladesh. And consequently, Sheikh Hasina’s ‘friendship to both India and China and malice to none’ policy helped Bangladesh move forward. This is the reason that even though Sino-Indian rivalry has impacted many countries, Bangladesh is not that affected.

How should Nepal deal with emerging China?

I am afraid that I am not an expert on Nepal. But as a foreign policy student, I can say Nepal’s geo-strategic location is very important for big powers including India and China. This location can be used for the country’s socio-economic development. Nepal can study Bangladesh and shape its policies if that suits it, though Nepal’s own context will determine its foreign policy orientation. One thing I want to emphasize is the role of political regimes and visionary leaders, which are essential for Nepal. In the case of Bangladesh, the visionary and patriotic leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and later her daughter Sheikh Hasina changed the fate of tens of millions of people in the country, and changed the global status of the country by following peaceful international relations.

Thus the regimes in Nepal need to think about long-term welfare and benefit of the Nepali people while dealing with emerging China. Here it can be reiterated that every country in South Asia including Nepal needs to engage China constructively. The bottom-line is that Nepal needs to maintain a balanced approach with China and India with economic diplomacy as a priority. In this case, the role of the media, academia, and other civil society organizations and people at large becomes necessary.

H. E. Felicity Volk

Ambassador of Australia to Nepal ​

1. What was your first impression of Nepal when you landed here as the Australian ambassador?

I landed at Tribhuvan Airport a year ago, late one winter night. I was returning to Nepal for the first time in over 20 years. Kathmandu’s streets were empty, but for dogs curled in balls against the cold. A faint trace of the evening’s fires hung in the air, the smoky aroma taking me back to earlier visits, a point of reference for how much the city had changed—growing up and out.

Come daylight the next morning, and in subsequent weeks, I had a clearer sense of the way Nepal has both evolved and stayed the same over the years.  There have been changes in both the built and natural environments, shifts in the architecture of politics and government and a maturing of the economy and national identity. But underpinning all of this are Nepal’s enduring characteristics: an ancient, rich and complex culture and the unparalleled warmth, hospitality and generosity of its people.

2. What are the similarities between Nepal and Australia?

The thriving Nepali community in Australia, which numbers around 150,000, speaks to the many similarities between Nepal and Australia and the way these make Australia a natural home for migrants and students from Nepal, and Nepal an attractive destination for Australians.

Both our countries are characterized by ethnic and cultural diversity, friendliness, a love of good food and the great outdoors, a federal system of government, an appreciation of community and concern for the environment.

3. What are the three milestones you feel you have achieved as your country’s Ambassador to Nepal?

When the second wave of Covid-19 hit soon after my arrival, I was pleased to facilitate a A$7million emergency assistance package to support Nepal’s Covid-response, in addition to our vaccine contributions through COVAX AMC and the delivery of much needed PPE by a Royal Australian Air Force flight.

I have placed gender equality and social inclusion issues prominently in my public outreach, reflecting the priority we attach to these in Australia’s development activity.

And third, I’ve worked closely with the education sector to prepare for the return of Nepali students to Australia when our borders opened in mid-December 2021. It’s been great to welcome students from Nepal back to Australia.

4. How are the people-to-people relations between Nepal and Australia and how can the relationship be further enhanced?

Flourishing people-to-people links underpin our warm diplomatic relations, which now span more than 60 years. I look forward to a time where travel between our countries is easier and we see a resumption of two-way educational exchanges, tourism and visits by business-people.

5. What do you like the most about Nepal?

The kindness of its people, the compassion of its spirituality and the majesty of its landscapes.

6. Where do you think Nepal as a country should improve?

I consider Nepal’s greatest untapped resource is its youth. I would love to see more young Nepalis accessing leadership opportunities in politics and government, as well as the community sector, business and the arts.

7. Is there anything you have planned but are yet to achieve in Nepal?

A program that I’m looking forward to joining this year is a mentoring initiative for young Nepali women, led by the British Ambassador H.E. Nicola Pollitt. I’m keen to work with women here to support their leadership aspirations and, of course, to learn from Nepali youth. 

Quick Questions:

1. Favorite Nepali food

Oh, too hard to choose. But let’s say Kwati on a winter’s night—comfort food! And Juju Dhau from Bhaktapur. 

2. Favorite place in Nepal

Whenever I need to restore serenity and to be immersed in everything I love about Nepal, I visit Boudha. Outside the valley, Pokhara is my easy-to-get-to haven.

3. Favorite Nepali song

‘Resham’ by Nepathya. I first heard this performed by a local cover band at Boudha on Laxmi Puja evening, last Tihar. Amrit Gurung and Nepathya have toured Australia five times, most recently in 2019 and always to very enthusiastic audiences. One day I hope to hear Amrit Gurung perform Resham live myself!

4. Favorite trek in Nepal

A confession: I’m more a hiker than a trekker.  To date, my favorite hike was to Murma Top during a trip to Rara Lake with the US and UK ambassadors to promote climate resilience and biodiversity conservation programs.

5. Favorite season in Nepal

Spring, with its moderate temperatures, trees flowering, days lengthening, evenings of golden light and the sense of the world coming to life again.

6. Favorite Nepali festival

Tihar, especially the night of Laxmi Puja. 

The ambassador’s personal message:

Australia marks its National Day on 26 January, a time to celebrate who we are as a nation. The vibrant and growing Nepali community in Australia makes a highly valued contribution to contemporary Australia and is integral to our rich, multi-faceted culture. I’ve been delighted to connect with this community both in Australia and when non-resident Nepalis and alumni return to Nepal. 

In both our countries, we’re facing new challenges with the current wave of Covid-19. Confronting testing times such as these, together, in a mutually respectful partnership, the ties between Australia and Nepal are stronger than ever. I regard it as a great privilege to contribute to our expanding relations and the warm friendship between our peoples.  

Open borders with India represent a major challenge in stemming the spread of coronavirus. With cases in India peaking, entry points on Nepal-India border have been put on high alert. Birgunj, the busiest Nepal-India gateway, is often regarded as Nepal’s Covid-19 hotspot. This time too, the city has seen cases steadily rise. Pratik Ghimire of ApEx talked to Vijay Kumar Sarawagi, mayor of Birgunj Metropolitan City, to know about their preparations and plans to contain the spread.

How are your preparations for the third wave?

Having fought valiantly against the two previous waves, Birgunj is ready to deal with the new wave with the help of our added manpower and resources. We have focused on Narayani Hospital where we have installed an automatic oxygen plant with the capacity to fill over 200 oxygen cylinders a day and oxygen lines have been added to over 600 beds, to be fed directly from the plant. As unvaccinated children are vulnerable, we have established a special child ward with all instant facilities. 

Besides, we have added health desks at borders and increased the number of community contact tracing teams. Vaccination has also picked up in our metro.

What is the state of your isolation centers?

Our isolation centers have not been used as almost every covid infected individual is isolating in their homes. Moreover, it looks like this wave is less harmful as even those who are admitted to hospitals are being discharged within a week. We have also not allowed a single person to enter Nepal without a negative antigen test. Yet, for an emergency, we have built a 400-bed holding center, which can also be used for isolation.

Also read: Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya: Commission ready to hold local elections on April 27

There seems to be a lack of public awareness in the metropolitan city. How can you convince citizens to follow health protocols?

We admit that the virus has already spread in the community because almost 70 percent of those being tested are returning positive results. Many with mild symptoms are not even getting tested. They are rather self-isolating in their homes. We are encouraging them to test through various digital campaigns and are also planning to provide door-to-door PCR services. The District Administrative Office (DAO) has been monitoring compliance of protocols, and imposing a fine of Rs 100 on those violating the rules. We also provide masks to those who appear without them in public places.

Birgunj has vaccinated 57 percent of its eligible population, and many have even received doses from India. So, tentatively, over 80 percent of our citizens are vaccinated. As it is common to have a cold during the winter, people might ignore mild symptoms. Our metro has almost 30,000 children above 12 who are eligible for vaccines, and 20,000 of them have already been vaccinated. We are waiting for vaccines for minors under 12.

How much has the metro spent on covid crisis management?

We have allocated Rs 30 million for it but the fund has barely been spent as provincial and central governments have taken care of most expenses.

How has the coordination been with other governments and departments?

There is no problem between us and the DAO. But coordination among municipalities is lacking. For instance, as Birgunj is more developed compared to surrounding areas, people from neighboring municipalities come to Narayani Hospital, which is causing an overload. We have to manage logistics for that. With more support from provincial and federal governments as well as municipalities, we will surely be in a position to provide better services.

The Election Commission (EC) has expedited preparations for elections of local governments whose tenure expires on May 19. Along with the preparations, the commission is also busy exploring ways to reform the electoral process and formulating an integrated election law. In this connection, Pratik Ghimire of ApEx talked to Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya.

How are the preparations for local levels going?

On December 24, we met the prime minister and proposed April 27 as a date for local level polls. Even if the date is yet to be finalized, the commission is ready to conduct elections before the expiry of the terms of the 36,000 local representatives on May 19. As of now, we are busy updating voter lists and are in consultation with officials of the finance ministry, security departments, and other concerned bodies.

Are there plans to use the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming elections?

The commission is ready to and in favor of using the EVM system, but it is not possible without political consensus. The EC has held talks with them several times but to no avail. Also, to use the EVMs, we have to have mass demo sessions, at least a year before the announcement of election dates. So there is no chance of using EVMs for local level elections, but we still can do it for elections of federal and provincial parliaments, but again, only if there is political consensus.

Also read: Krishna Pokharel: 2021 was a year of disillusionment in Nepali politics 

How will this election cycle differ from previous ones?

The election process and voting system have not changed from the previous time, but we are planning to use new technology for surveillance so that elections are more free, fair and peaceful. But primarily, the commission is focusing on civic education, which includes educating the public on the importance of their votes, election-time etiquettes, etc.

What is the progress on a single ‘integrated law’ for all levels of elections?

A few days earlier, the government agreed on the principle of an ‘integrated law’. We will now create a taskforce to prepare related Acts. In two months, we will present the integrated law to the government, which in turn will present it in parliament.

How is the commission planning to curtail excess campaign spending this time?

This time, we are working on an Act that will make it mandatory for candidates to disclose their property details so that the EC can monitor the excesses in their election promotional campaigns. We have also decentralized powers and authorized local election committees to check for adherence to election code of conduct. We appeal to everyone to report any misconduct as only with collective effort can we hold free and fair polls.