Bangladesh remained vibrant through its strong presence in global forums round the year 2016 clearly becoming a player on the global stage addressing the growing domestic challenges.The country witnessed a growing interest shown by the global powers –- China, India, Japan, Russia, the United States and other countries in Bangladesh to have deeper engagements.The historic visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, US Secretary of State John F Kerry’s maiden visit on August 29 and Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s visit apart from dozens of high-level incoming visits clearly show the growing importance of Bangladesh among global players.
The government could successfully make a balance in maintaining relations with two major powerhouses — India and China.Dozens of agreements of cooperation were signed between Bangladesh and China during Chinese President’s Dhaka visit with a pledge of over US$ 24 billion investment in Bangladesh in the coming years.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s scheduled bilateral visit to New Delhi was deferred last minute which is expected to take place in the first quarter of the New Year 2017.Though the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Gulshan, described as an ‘unforgivable act of terror’ by global leaders, shocked the entire world, the government got the international community beside in addressing the new challenge.At the end of 2016, Rohingya issue re-emerged as big challenge before the government as the country witnessed new arrivals of around 50,000 Rohingya populations who fled Myanmar’s Rakhine State since October 9.Myanmar will soon send a special envoy to see and evaluate the situation of Rohingya people who entered Bangladesh since October 9.Myanmar State Counsellor and leader of the National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi will send the envoy.Dhaka also expressed its readiness to engage with Naypyidaw to discuss the process and modalities of repatriation.After July 1 cowardly terrorist attack at the Holey Artisan Restaurant in Gulshan that resulted in death of 20 innocent people, most of them foreigners, the international community came forward to help Bangladesh address the challenge.Bangladesh strengthened counterterrorism efforts with support from the international community as most nations today face terrorism.Bangladesh successfully hosted the 9th Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD) Summit in Dhaka on December 10-12 with the participation of large number of foreign delegations that shows international community’s regained confidence in the government after July 1 attack.The government has largely improved its relations with Saudi Arabia in the year 2016.Bangladesh presidency was highly praised by the LDCs and their friends at the annual ministerial meeting of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the UN Headquarters.Bangladesh boldly urged the development partners to deliver on their commitments in every sector and provide the least developed countries with the support crucial for the implementation of the SDGs and other internationally agreed development goals.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar undertook a number of important visits round the year 2016 that helped deepen Bangladesh’s ties with the external world.During the visits, the Prime Minister upheld Bangladesh’s strong position and supports on a number of global issues including world peace, democracy, human rights, people’s empowerment, migration, climate change, counterterrorism efforts and sustainable development.
source:UNB
