Bangladesh in United States Foreign Policy

Abstract

B angladesh emerged as an independent nation in December 1971, after struggling for nine months against Pakistani military forces. India and the Soviet Union had championed its fight for freedom, while the United States implicity opposed its emergence by tilting toward Pakistan. That was the situation in 1971. But time passes, and new circumstances arise. After the fall of the Mujib regime in August 1975, there was a reversal of roles. Now, after only ten years of independence, Bangladesh is faced with external threats not from those who originally opposed it, but from those who supported it directly and significantly during the liberation struggle. India's present attitude toward Bangladesh is a direct threat to its independence and sovereignty. If Bangladesh is to survive and prosper, it must embark upon a pragmatic policy of neutralizing this threat within the shortest possible span of time. It is here that the friendship of the United States is so important. This essay provides a rationale for a viable Bangladesh-United States relationship, projected in the light of mutual interests.