New US visa policy beneficial for both govt and opposition: Experts

The new US visa policy for Bangladesh will be beneficial for both the government and the opposition in the context of the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections, experts have said.

"The new visa policy is not any bilateral issue, but the US government has done this out of internal and political reasons," opined Dhaka University International Relations Department Professor Dr Delwar Hossain, at a roundtable, "Diplomacy of Caution, Politics of Sanctions", at the Dhaka Gallery in the capital's Banani on Saturday.

The roundtable was organised by the Editors Guild Bangladesh, and moderated by its President Mozammel Babu.

"The US government recently took several decisions on various issues, including politics, elections and human rights in Bangladesh. Although relations between the US and Bangladesh are being strengthened day by day, there are tensions or differences of opinion on some issues. However, there will not be any deterioration in the relations between the two countries," said Professor Dr Delwar Hossain.

The United States' relations with Bangladesh are now multi-dimensional in terms of financial, social and political considerations, he said, mentioning that the US government depends on Bangladesh for "geopolitical reasons".

"Their [US] thoughts regarding the next election [of Bangladesh] are completely their own. They have nothing to do with the reality of Bangladesh… it is their diplomatic strategy, which will change with time. Apart from that, Bangladesh is not a cause of harm to the US in any way," added the international relations analyst.

Referring to US visa restrictions for Nigeria and Uganda following elections in the two countries, former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain said that in the case of Bangladesh, this policy was announced a few months before a possible election, meaning if any party obstructs the election from before, the US will not hesitate to implement this measure against it.

He termed the new US visa policy as a "signal" to the people of Bangladesh to support a free and fair election system.

"This US visa policy announcement has left a direct impact on the Gazipur city elections, as we have witnessed it," added Dr M Sakhawat.

Dr Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI), said, "The United States has announced this visa policy targeting an elite class of Bangladeshis, for which one of the main reasons is to hold the upcoming elections in a fair manner. If this policy works properly, the people will benefit, the opposition will benefit and the government will be able to present a credible election. From that aspect, it is a constructive role of the United States".

Former foreign secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury felt that both the government and the opposition are happy about this visa policy by the US.

He, however, disagreed that the new policy has impacted last week's Gazipur city polls. "Even in 2013, the BNP candidate won in this city by a huge margin, when there was no such visa policy".

Former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury said that he sees this decision as an example of US authoritarianism, expressing concerns over whether the US has its eyes on the Bay of Bengal, and if it is its hidden purpose.

Former UGC chairman Professor Abdul Mannan said that the objective of the people of Bangladesh is more important than what the US has said about Bangladesh.

"We want peace. We want a fair election out of a chaotic situation. It can be understood by looking back at the history of the last 15 years of Bangladesh that there is no reason for not holding a fair election," he added.

Human rights activist Khushi Kabir and Regional Director of Article 19 South Asia Faruq Faisal were among the discussants.