Regional Connectivity

though this reticular add has several(prenominal)how reduced the limelight of proposed Aslant High counselling save It Is something that re ushers compensate bigger prospect for Bangladesh as the road connecting 23 countries with proposed Asian Highway nedeucerk. The proposed deep ocean port is also porta up the prospect of connectivity as it might be additionible for whole kingdom. conterminous countries uniform Sardinia has created a deep sea port in late(a) times and so far it has been a success story. That might inhale Bangladesh to push this plan forward. By utilizing these opportunity eloquently Bangladesh might bias Into a hub of connectivity. exclusively Its a unsophisticated that Is suffering to construct undeniable foot for the internal demand. In this situation if minded(p) access of connectivity thence it pull up stakes be worse and might cause a negative impact. So, the necessary groundwork should be build before large-minded any such(prenominal) acces s. What is the ultimate benefit of connectivity? How oneness potty resolve the unfreeze of sovereignty vs. Connectivity? Will the extended connectivity result In an expansion of drug trafficking and unratified dole out? These are some questions which ultimately come Into play. Many uses this Issues as an argument against connectivity.It is un identically to enjoy benefit wholly by a policy. Especi ally when it comes virtually the question of issues like this one got to take all the aspects into consideration. Connectivity and coachment In this era of globalization the origination is more(prenominal)(prenominal) than affiliated then before. Day by day this connectivity is increasing more and more. at once a day its quite impossible for the situates to take alienated policy. straightaway we curb ideology is playing trivial constituent then It vie before. Today International system Is moving on the three steadfast highways of globalization, liberalizing and vapor ization In a un prevalent world.Economic education take hold ofms to be the vernacular goal of every nation. This commonality has make it possible for the states to become physically connected through the flow of stack and trade. Thats why the idea of combine world is submitting more and more voice. Even States that boast traditionally been sovereignty sensitive, at least in terms of Integrating themselves through roads, today, are trying to negotiate multilateral frugal arrangements that Include cross and stockation across their national boundaries exactly this interconnectivity is non purely interconnected.As its the connectivity drive by interest so countries that have common interests or the egging which represents more opportunity are the one to be connected or unbidden to establish connectivity. As a result regional connectivity is becoming more fashionable. E is a perfect example. Following the success of E regional organizations and regional connectivity Is g etting stronger. in like manner countries are more higher investiture in public infrastructure brings invariably in its wake scotch prosperity and improve quality of life.Its also used as a remedy of eradicating inequality which has emerged as a panic of the present time. The improved transport facilities impact through faster mobility of labor, materials, and gods, in hat way reducing transport tolls as well(p) as thrift time for further engagements. Transport cost is an classic determinant of competitiveness, do an integrated and capable transport ne tworks an essential element of the enabling environment for economic integration at any level.The provision of physical infrastructure in the form of an integrated transport network is essential, simply not a major condition in itself for efficient and effective transnational movement. It is necessary to have adequate facilitation measures to address all the non-physical barriers so that goods, icicles and people can mov e freely across international borders. Bangladesh prospect as a hub of connectivity Location and gee-spatial legitimateity Bangladesh is a domain which is virtually India locked. So, the geographic peak of view it apparently seems to be a disadvantage for her.But it has legion(predicate) geographical advantages. The access of Bay of Bengal , and through to the wider open seas and to the sea routes towards the strategically pregnant regions such as East and southwesterlyeast Asia, on the one move on , and western hemisphere Asia and the Middle East on the early(a). This geographical and mend can be utilized by Bangladesh for her own benefit. Thats the reason why a deep sea port or the modernization of Chitchatting sea port can have a erupt prospect it can be both stintingly beneficiary and strategically an important point. Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan are landlocked countries in this region.Bangladesh can benefit tremendously through opening up passing and great opportuni ties for crossing from east to west and giving the land-locked neighbors access to the sea. But its not given proper attention like the issue related transit. As s abet earlier Bangladesh is virtually an India locked country so its al just about(prenominal) impossible o improve connectivity excluding India. It has massive territorial reserve depth and the biggest democratic country. India over the years has made massive onward motion and its the regional super power. So, when we talk about the country that comes first is India.But India has some vulnerability that can be used in favor of Bangladesh. Bangladesh occupies an important strategic position for India. Slinger Corridor is the only access of the North Eastern state which separates Nepal from Bangladesh only by a few miles. During Indo-China war this situation became more eminent. This vulnerability is still present. Right now, anything produced in that region cant be marketed in the rest of India, due to the distance from port (Kola). From past decade, India is becoming more dependent on exotic and private investments in growth picture.But, no company will want to invest in this remote inlet of the Northeast, because of the logistical problems of Sevens Sisters plug intoing in with the rest of India. So the only real economic future of Northeast lies in reopening its route through Bangladesh to its West and with Manner and southeast-East Asia to the East. For additional benefit, if they are allowed to use a Bangladesh port, the trade oriented business can also come up in this region. The region is rich in energy resources, like natural spatter and hydro-electricity.The economic build up in this region late(a) times has increase greatly and has become a real headache for the Indian government. Its now creating a threat for national integrity. Its obvious that the insurgency is not discharge to stop until a drastic economic development take place. But Indian government is finding it hard witho ut the access of Bangladesh. Many in India perceived Bangladesh as an economic bridge between Indians northerly-eastern states and the rest of the country. For India, it makes passing good economic sense to be able to use a corridor to its northeastern states.It would spare them constructing a long and tortuous road through hostile territory, infested with insurgents of many hues. It had been estimated in the ass that construction of new tracks would cost RSI. 2 core per kilometer. It would cost many times more that inwardness now. For India, access through Bangladesh makes extremely good economic sense to be able to use a corridor to its northeastern states. India has to across Kim to passage its goods &038 passengers from its mainland to its north-eastern dates, which is high-ticket(prenominal) &038 time consuming as well as inefficient in economic sense.If Bangladesh allows transit, India will require to across only km to off same job. The Chitchatting port can become a mo dern meddlesome port like capital of Singapore serving the SCARS countries and even China. Huge foreign investment may be attracted to Bangladesh and finally a throbbing service sector like banks, insurance, hotels, rest houses, petrol pumps etc. May develop near the Tarns continental roads and railways. There is an estimate of direct economic gain from transit fees. It ranges from 500 core take to 4,666 core take. The delay but not the least, is the mutual transit.Bangladesh, in return, will get a overmuch shorter route to China, which already is its second largest affair partner. Unfortunately, most of the trading nowadays takes place through sea-route. The cost of import increases, as well as Bangladesh goods loose competitiveness in Chinese market. If Bangladesh wants to access South Chinese underdeveloped market, they must go through India. This was a point of occupy for the Chinese delegates during Gumming initiative in 1999, an initiative to link Chinese province of Yu an with Seven Sisters of India, Manner, Thailand and Bangladesh.Better Co-operations for Connectivity South Asia inherited an integrated transport infrastructure from the British. This was fractured not only by the partition of India but by its political aftermath. The transport network still continue to stay on fragmented due to various historical, political and economic reasons which needs to be rebuilt within the context of greater political harmony in South Asia. The transport system of the main land countries of South Asia has developed only in a national context with precise consideration given to cross border issues of compatibility, uniformity of standards in infrastructure and equipment design.It is felt that for socio-economic development if South Saiss intra-regional trade is to grow rapidly, among others, this will require integration of the transport infrastructure of the region. This calls for cooperation in the strengthening of transportation, transit and connectivi ty across the region, including harmonistic of standards and simplification of tradition procedures and other similar trade facilitation initiatives to minimize the non-physical trade barriers in maintain of investment in the transport infrastructure.The decisions of Islamabad SCARS operation in a number of areas including strengthening transport, transit and communication links/connectivity across the region. Recognizing the grandness of transport integration in South Asia, SCARS initiated the SCARS Regional Multimode Transport see (SORTS) with the main objective of enhancing multi-modal transport connectivity among SCARS member states, so as to conjure intra-regional trade. Since then the issue of connectivity has been the highlighting issue in every SCARS summit.Though the countries of this region have many things in common and at that place re better prospect of development through the process of connectivity but its the most sickly connected part of the world. For example Bangladesh products constituted only 0. 5 part (approximately) of total Indian imports. Indians informal and formal exports to Bangladesh stand at around $5 billion dollars while Bangladesh exports are about $ 358 million during the pecuniary year of 2007-08. This shows the poor condition of connectivity.Also the imbalanced situation is eminent of trade between the small country (Bangladesh) and big country (India). As aid earlier Bangladesh has a territorial advantage and India is force hard for the access of transport from mainland India to North-East India. So, Bangladesh can use this opportunity to gain economical balance and also to resolve her unresolved issues. One of the main obstacles for regional connectivity is the hostile relation between India and Pakistan. This hostility has made the SCARS ineffective. They are the two big powers in this region.Both of them have nuclear weapon and plays important role in the world politics. Especially India is moving fast as a reg ional power and also as a world power. So no progress can be made without the improvement of these two nations. Though over the years little progress has been made, but we see a kind of rational approaches from both the parties in recent time. For example-After the recent Bomb attack in Bombay Indian unlike the previous hap did not blame Pakistan took cautious attitude . Pakistan on the other hand immediately after the attack expressed deep sympathy about the incident.Both the parties have expressed hope about continuing the ongoing recreation process. This shows that they are serious about the issue and if in the future these co-operative environment progress then surely connectivity will increase in this region. duty in transport connectivity with neighboring countries could reduce trade deficit. It is crucial to fancy clearly that these transport connectivity will have no market elsewhere outside this sub-region and that these opportunities of trading in transport services ma y not continue long.It is also important for the sub-regional countries to recognize that no country other than Bangladesh can provide these transport connectivity and services. Issues to tackle Politics of regional connectivity Though its an issue which is a part of foreign policy, closely interlinked with economic policy, but political relation cant be separated from economic and foreign relation. It has been seen that in most case progression has been from close political relations to the compound of economic relations.Political relationships that are not characterized by mistrust or intuition allow first steps in economic relationship which would then expand and generate vigorous inter-state economic activities. But unfortunately this has not been the case with us. Our political culture is marked by tit India ill-used by both the political parties as a political agenda. We see a lack of proper planning or commitment on the question of connectivity. All the major aspects such as-Asian Highway, Transit with china or even the Deep sea port there is clear tuberosity among the political parties and also among the people.Security The issue of guarantor is closely linked with the issue of connectivity. The fear that connectivity will increase security threat is not without basic. The north eastern region of India is a war prone area. Here the most powerful Indian forces are failing to maintain stable situation. The threat of ALFA and Moist insurgency can poise real problem for us. Also in the region of Manner there are rebel forces contend against the Junta government. Also the religious extremist groups may misuse the connectivity. So, the security threat should be taken into consideration. wish of infrastructure The road and ports of Bangladesh could get overcrowded, thus resulting in poor efficiency in domestic industries. Keeping in view the benefits, it seems the above mentioned risks are too small, from economic perspective. But, a country is not mad e up of its economy only it has its political, ideological and popular faces also. To sum up the whole condition, Bangladesh currently does not allow grater connectivity because of non-economic reasons. Lack of co-operation from Big Brother As we all know India at present stage has huge economic advantage with all the countries of this region.The reason that she is pushing hard for transit is mainly for her own stake. India doesnt want to allow Bangladesh to have land route with Nepal and Bhutan which is purely for trade purpose, India shows the excuse that it goes against its territorial integrity, development the same logic Bangladesh cannot allow transit. The proposed Asian Highway route provides transit rights to India through Bangladesh because both the entry and exit are with India from Bangladesh. Bangladesh government is of course concerned about it without reciprocal transit rights from India.It seems that this is a misplaced concern in view of the fact that at the Dacha SCARS Summit, Indians Prime Minister made it clear that India was agreeable to provide transit rights to SCARS countries. But India is not elicit to progress over the issue. The Indian proposal is not a transit facility it is a corridor facility which is internationally discouraged. As said earlier Bangladesh already has huge trade deficit with India. So allowing India the access on bilateral basic has little chance through which we can get benefited.There are many unresolved issues on which India over the years has shown little interest. The worst act was the Freak barrage. Bandstands trust in India was not prestigious properly. We are suffering from less supply of Ganges water than committed. electronic bulletin board are killing Bangladesh without adequate reasons. Maritime boundaries need to be finalized, issues like Tailgate, demarcation of 6. Skims borders, stoppage of push-in, and Bangladesh-Nepal ND Bangladesh-Bhutan corridors can be solved without much difficulty.But in the process of connectivity mutual co-operation and trust is the headstone and it should be conjecture through a win-win situation. Connectivity should be implemented in such a way so that all the parties can get the benefit. Conclusion Connectivity is the key a popular dialogue of the present time. Day by day world is getting smaller through the advancement of globalization and technological connectivity. Singapore is a perfect example of connectivity and progress. Connectivity has worked as the key for them as key in real sense. The success story of E.IS is the perfect example of regional connectivity. This connectivity has been a trademark for the European countries. South-Asia is one of the poorest regions of the world. Being the part of worlds most poorly connected region, one can obviously say that there are prospects for development through connectivity. As Bangladesh has certain benefits and strategically constitutes an important position so the connectivity can provide gr eater opportunity for us. But creation of a win-win situation is what that can ensure better progress and ensures equal opportunity for all countries.