M Humayun Kabir speaks to DOT :
It is very natural for Bangladesh to receive congratulations from India, China and European Union for displaying stability in Rohingya issue, economy and security in the Asian region.
A political stability has been prevailing for the last one decade in Bangladesh. The country’s economy is faring well due to the stability. The growth of extremism could be checked in this region due to the country’s stability. There is no security concern in this region due to the stability.
As far as Rohingya issue is concerned, Bangladesh has shown generosity and the international community has been able to realize it. It could have been a greater problem if Bangladesh had not handles the issue positively.
If the Rohingyas undertook perilous sea journeys, the situation would get out of hand and cause a problem for South-East Asian countries. They could go to Austraila, Japan. As a whole, the Rohingya issue could have become a serious humanitarian issue for this entire region. Thankfully, Bangladesh has been able to handle the issue and India-China are showing positive attitude to the issue.
Likewise, India, China and European Union are taking our just-concluded polls positively. Both India and China are congratulating Sheikh Hasina’s government. This is very natural.
Every country has its own values. Like European Union and USA, we believe in democracy. We import from India and China. Later, we add values to the products and export them to Europe and America. So, we have a stake in it. For this reason, we have relations with the countries. Besides, strategic difference is there and it is not unusual. Russia, India, China and European Union will support us since they have investments in our country.
Apart from congratulating Bangladesh, the international community has hinted that our onward economic journey will be easier.
M Humayun Kabir is a former Ambassador.
Interviewed by Jewel Khan, translated by Hossen Sohel