Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has led Bangladesh since 2009, recently disclosed a startling offer she received before the January 7 election. She stated that a foreign nation proposed to ensure her a hassle-free re-election if she permitted them to build an airbase on Bangladeshi soil.
Election Boycott and Strategic Position
Hasina, now 76, secured her fifth overall term in January’s election, which was notably boycotted by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. This one-sided election has been a subject of intense political debate.
As per the Hasina, the proposal came from a “White man,” though she did not specify which nation was involved. She recounted, “If I allowed a certain country to build an airbase in Bangladesh, then I would have had no problem.”
Hasina emphasized her refusal to compromise Bangladesh’s sovereignty for political gain. She recounted her response to the offer, echoing her stance from a similar situation in 2001 when the US proposed selling the nation’s gas. “I’ve clearly said that I’m the daughter of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We won our Liberation War; I don’t want to come to power by renting part of the nation or handing it over to some other country, and I don’t need power,” she asserted.
Strategic Importance and Security Concerns
Hasina pointed out the historical significance and strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, areas free of major conflicts. “Many have their eyes on this place. There is no controversy in this place and no one has conflict in it. I won’t let that happen,” she declared, noting that her stance on these issues has often put her government in challenging positions both domestically and internationally.
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The Prime Minister also suggested there are ongoing conspiracies to destabilize her government and even carve out a new Christian country from parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, similar to East Timor. She warned that these efforts could result in significant regional instability.
Reflecting on her father’s assassination in 1975, Hasina indicated that she is aware of the risks but remains undeterred. “Conspiracies do not bother me and I will never bow down to pressure,” she said, reaffirming her commitment to national integrity and independence.
In a closed-door meeting, Hasina also mentioned that Bangladesh would avoid purchasing goods from nations that impose sanctions on it, further asserting her government’s stance on maintaining sovereignty and economic independence.
This revelation by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in South Asia and underscores her commitment to maintaining Bangladesh’s sovereignty against external pressures.
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