PM seeks ‘reset’ Bangladesh-UK relations

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for a "reset" in Bangladesh-UK bilateral relations as she addressed the British Parliament.

"Indeed, it is time for a 'reset' in Bangladesh-UK bilateral relations. We need to change the traditional lens we use to view our partnership," she said.

The Prime Minister also sought an active role of the international community to send back the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar in safety and dignity. She also said the role of the UK to this end remains critical.

She was addressing a programme titled "Bangladesh at 50: The Resilient Delta" at the State Rooms, Speaker's House, Westminster in London on Wednesday.

Rushanara Ali, MP, and Member of the House of Lords, Lord Jitesh Ghadhia received the Prime Minister on her arrival at the Westminster.

The Prime Minister said that engagements of the two countries should now be truly strategic, and draw on their cooperation in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, maritime and aviation security.

She said that the vibrant British-Bangladeshi diaspora must remain at the centre of a partnership between the two countries.

"We take pride in our diaspora. I am pleased to see their growing representation at the Westminster – all five of them women at the moment! I am confident that there will be more of them in this great parliament of diversity," she said.

Turning to the Rohingya crisis, Sheikh Hasina said that the UK's role in finding a solution to the Rohingya crisis remains critical.  

Since August 2017, Bangladesh has given stability to the region by containing the crisis, she added.

"But the security challenges in Cox's Bazar are getting more and more acute. These challenges can soon spread to the region and beyond," she said, adding that the international community has a responsibility to make sure that the Rohingyas can soon go back to Myanmar in safety and dignity.

"Keeping the crisis alive can only be a zero-sum game for all concerned," she opined.

Describing Bangladesh as a land of opportunities and promise at its 50 years of independence, Sheikh Hasina said, "It draws strength from its resilient past. It stands ready to seize opportunities in the present. It looks to the future with a mission and a vision."

The Prime Minister briefly spelt out Bangladesh's extraordinary achievements and developments in various sectors including economy, infrastructural development, power and energy and digitisation.  

She said that Bangladesh's economy has been growing at an average rate of over 6%, with 8.15% in 2018-19 fiscal year.  

The premier continued that Bangladesh's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew by 243% from 2008 to USD310 billion in 2021 and the Bangladesh economy is now the world's 41st largest in nominal GDP.

She said that the government has reduced poverty from 31.5% to 20.5% during the last decade while life expectancy has reached 73 years.  

The per capita income has increased three-folds since 2008 to USD2,227 this year whereas the foreign currency reserve jumped seven-folds to USD48 billion in 2021, she continued.

"Our pledge to build a 'Digital Bangladesh' has been a game-changer. Our government provided the backbone, and our people carried it forward," she said.