Editorial
Boucher's trip to Dhaka
A matter of two new administrations getting acquainted
THE just-concluded visit to Dhaka by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher should be considered significant for a good number of reasons. The most basic, of course, relates to the fact that in both Washington and Dhaka new governments have taken over. Incidentally, both the Obama administration and the Hasina government have come to office with promises of change. Against such a background, the Boucher visit was an opportunity for the new men in Washington to get a measure of the new team in Dhaka. In similar manner, it was a chance for the Awami League-led government to get some insights into the thinking of the new Democratic administration in the United States.
Considered from such perspectives, therefore, the Boucher trip was anything but routine. He has of course been here before, but his visit this time round was relatively more focused. Besides meeting government leaders, including the prime minister, the US official also talked to the leader of the opposition, who crucially informed him of her party's readiness to assist in a strengthening of democratic institutions in Bangladesh.
That said, one remains aware of the different areas in which the United States and Bangladesh have a good deal to talk about. The priorities here are of course trade and investment. Among other things, the issue of duty-free access of our RMG-products to US market remains on the table. It was speculated, in the days prior to Boucher's arrival, that the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Tifa) might come under discussion. That has not happened, of course. The point here is that we can only consider crossing the bridge once we come to it.
Meanwhile, Richard Boucher has spoken of possible US assistance to Bangladesh in protecting its mineral-rich sea regions. Given that we are in need of technical assistance in that area, this is a good prospect. On another issue, that of a trial of the 1971 war criminals by Bangladesh, Boucher has reportedly assured the government here of his country's cooperation. It is a suggestion that should be followed through by Dhaka.
Overall, therefore, we think the Boucher visit was one of a get-acquainted nature in terms of how the Obama administration and the Hasina government might interact with each other in forging closure ties. The Bangladesh prime minister has urged the US president to make his trip to Muslim countries starting with Bangladesh. The Boucher visit reflects current US thinking on some contemporaneous issues that relate to Bangladesh. For Bangladesh, it is a point where a fresh sense of dynamism can be injected into its diplomacy.
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