Doesn't matter who thinks what about Bangladesh decision on drone making: Foreign adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today (28 January) defended the government's decision to set up a UAV (drone) manufacturing and assembly plant in Bangladesh with support from China, stressing that it matters little what others may think about the move.

"If Bangladesh plans to establish a factory or sets up a factory with the support of another country, it will be done in the interest of Bangladesh and based on its own decision. It does not matter who thinks what about Bangladesh's decision," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when asked about a recent agreement with China.

Touhid posed a counter question, asking, "Does his opinion carry any importance regarding whatever happens in India or Pakistan?"

Referring to cooperation with China, the adviser said such collaboration is already taking place, and if a factory is established through this process, it is not a matter for the foreign ministry.

When a reporter drew his attention to comments made by the newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T Christensen, both after his arrival and prior to arriving in Dhaka, the adviser said they have seen that. "We will take decisions and work in line with our interests."

No comments on US diplomat

As the Jamaat-e-Islami readies for its strongest showing at the polls next month, US diplomats are quietly signalling a willingness to engage with the once-banned party, reports The Washington Post, citing audio recordings it says it obtained.

In a 1 December closed-door discussion with female Bangladeshi journalists, a US diplomat in Dhaka described the country as 'shifted Islamic' and predicted that Jamaat would 'do better than it's ever done before' in the 12 February elections, The Washington Post said, citing the audio recording.

When his attention was drawn to the report, Adviser Touhid said, "I won't want to make any comment." He said there is nothing to gain through speculation and noted that they will see who wins the election and the elected party will deal with the USA. 

Dhaka-Beijing ties

Dhaka and Beijing yesterday signed a Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement for setting up a UAV manufacturing and assembly plant and technology transfer in an effort to strengthen defence cooperation.

The deal was signed between Bangladesh Air Force and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International (CETC) at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment.

CETC is a massive state-owned conglomerate and leading defence contractor specializing in electronics, software, and information systems.

The agreement was signed for the establishment of an 'Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)' manufacturing and assembly factory and the Technology Transfer (TOT) project.

Under the agreement, Bangladesh Air Force and CETC International will jointly set up a state-of-the-art UAV manufacturing and assembly facility in Bangladesh.

This includes technology transfer, capacity building, industrial skills development and joint technical cooperation, which will help achieve self-reliance in UAV production in the long term, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Bangladesh Air Force will initially acquire the capability to produce and assemble various types of Medium Altitude Low Endurance (MALE) UAV and Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) UAV. In addition, Bangladesh Air Force will produce its own UAV through this project.

These UAVs will play a significant role in military activities as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster management, ISPR said.

US Ambassador Christensen today said he is concerned about broader Chinese influence in South Asia, stressing that they have a host of options available to try to help their partner militaries meet their capability needs.

'You know, as I said in my hearing…I am concerned about broader Chinese influence in South Asia. I think the United States government has been very clear about that," he said while responding to a question during an interaction with a small group of journalists.

"And as I committed to my hearing, I will always engage with our friends in the government—be it the interim government or the newly elected government-- to clearly articulate the risks of involvement with the Chinese in certain areas should the Bangladesh government choose to go down that path," Ambassador Christensen said.

China yesterday reacted to China-related remarks by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, urging the US side "to be more aware of its responsibilities, and focus more on actions" that are "conducive to Bangladesh's stability" as well as the development and cooperation in the region.

"Such remarks by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh are irresponsible and utterly unfounded," said the Spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, refuting China-related remarks by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh.

The spokesperson said they confuse right and wrong, and are "completely out of ulterior motives.

Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Spokesperson said Bangladesh and China have always supported each other, treated one another as equals, and engaged in win-win cooperation.

"The China-Bangladesh cooperation has delivered benefits to and received broad support from the people of both countries. It is conducive to the development and stability in the region," said the spokesperson.

China said cooperation between Bangladesh and China is a matter between the two countries and their peoples, and brooks no interference or finger-pointing by the US side.