US-BANGLADESH VISA TUSSLE

1. Context

2. What does the notification Specify?

3. Relations between US and Bangladesh

• The US is the biggest destination for Bangladesh's garment exports, and Bangladesh is the third largest exporter of garments to the US after China and Vietnam.
• As the industry is the backbone of the country's economic growth, it is seeking a GSP-Plus status with the US and Europe for its readymade garment exports.
• The EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) gives developing countries a special incentive to pursue sustainable development and good governance, in return for cuts in import duties.
• The US is the top foreign investor in Bangladesh. However, the mutual unhappiness in the US-Bangladesh relationship has been no secret for some years.
• For example, Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to Washington to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties with the US, included no big-ticket meetings.
• The PM of Bangladesh even said in Parliament that the US was seeking regime change in Bangladesh.
• The US government, on the other hand, has conveyed its concern over democratic erosion, and also about the two previous elections in Bangladesh.

4. What is the view of Bangladesh's government and the opposition to the US's new visa policy?

• The opposition in Bangladesh said that The policy will play a supporting role in holding the next polls in a fair and credible manner, The policy will change the diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.
• The government on the other hand said that the US was seeking regime change in Bangladesh and demanded such visa policies should not be applied arbitrarily in a non-objective manner.

5. Some of the other hurdles

• Prime Minister Hasina has followed a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism since being sworn to power in 2009.
• She has uprooted insurgents of northeast India who had maintained a base in Bangladesh for decades.
• In that part, Islamist radicals were also consistently targeted by security agencies especially the RAB (Rapid Action Battalion).
• Her actions, however, have drawn criticism from various quarters including the U.S. which has accused Bangladesh of violating human rights and for enforcing the disappearance of around 600 individuals.
• In December 2021, serving and former top officials of the RAB were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department.
• Additionally, Bangladesh maintains a neutral policy on the Ukraine crisis, with Ms. Hasina repeatedly by arguing against interference in the affairs of sovereign countries.
• On the ground, multiple projects indicate strong competition between Dhaka and Moscow.
• Russia is building the first nuclear power project in Rooppur which is expected to be operational later this year.

6. What will be the implications of the US's new visa Policy?

• The US is the biggest destination for Bangladesh's garment exports, and Bangladesh is the third-largest exporter of garments to the US after China and Vietnam. The industry is the backbone of the country's economic growth.
• A (Generalised System of Preference) GSP-Plus status with the US and Europe for its ready-made garment exports is crucial when Bangladesh graduates out of the least developed country category in 2006.
• Bangladesh's government is working hard for this tag. But the new Policy might hamper its recognition.

 7. Implications of these developments on India

• The US position on the Bangladesh elections could complicate India's diplomacy in Bangladesh.
• New Delhi, wants Shiekh Hasina - a leader who has acted on its security concerns swiftly, back in Power in Dhaka.
• She is seen as having given away too much - land transit rights to the Northeastern states, a favorable coal power deal to an Adani company, etc., while Bangladesh itself has been awaiting Teessta water for many years.
• Over the last few years. the US and India were seen as acting in tandem in Bangladesh, especially as their security objectives converged.
• The Visa policy is a sign that this may be changing. A Post-Afghanistan US seems more open than India to political change in Dhaka.
• For now, India may prefer to keep silent on the linking of the US visa policy in Bangladesh to free and fair elections in the country.