Big discussion expected in upcoming meeting in Tokyo on May 15
Japan has offered to sell military weapons to Bangladesh. This proposal may become a main topic of discussion at the 6th Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) meeting between Bangladesh and Japan, which will be held on May 15 in Tokyo, according to sources from the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Who Will Join the Meeting?
From Bangladesh, the meeting will be led by Foreign Secretary Mr. Md. Jashim Uddin. On the Japanese side, Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Akahori Takeshi will lead the delegation.
They will talk about:
- Improving friendly relations between the two countries
- Defence cooperation
- Indo-Pacific strategy
- The Myanmar and Rohingya crisis
- Regional security issues
- People-to-people connections between Bangladesh and Japan
Why is This Meeting Important?
The meeting is important because Japan is now focusing on building defence ties with countries in Asia. Though Japan has been a strong development partner of Bangladesh for a long time, this time they are trying something new—they want to sell military weapons.
This is a big change in Japan’s foreign policy. Before, Japan mostly focused on giving loans, building infrastructure, and supporting education and health projects. But now they want to enter the defence market in Asia.
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Bangladesh Has Not Decided Yet
Bangladesh has not taken a final decision on purchasing weaponry from Japan. According to government sources, such issues take a long time to resolve and typically necessitate high-level political choices.
In such meetings, each country presents their own interests. So, Japan may propose the weapons deal, but Bangladesh will carefully consider whether it is the right step for them.
Upcoming Visit of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser
The meeting will also discuss the upcoming visit of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to Japan.
As per the plan, he will:
- Visit Japan from May 29 to May 31
- Stay two days in Tokyo and one day in Osaka
- Possibly meet with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for a high-level bilateral meeting
- During this visit, they may talk about bigger plans for both countries’ future cooperation.
Japan is Worried About Bangladesh’s Closeness with China
Japan is also worried because recently Bangladesh has become closer to China.
After political changes in Bangladesh last year, there were several high-level visits between Bangladesh and China. Both countries have increased their cooperation in different sectors like trade, infrastructure, and development.
Japan and China have had geopolitical tensions for many years. So, when Bangladesh becomes closer to China, Japan feels uncomfortable.
Sources say that in the May 15 meeting, the issue of China-Bangladesh relations will be discussed before lunch.
Preparation Meetings Held in Dhaka
Before the big meeting in Tokyo, a preparation meeting was held in Dhaka this week, led by the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh.
Officials from:
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- The Japanese Embassy in Dhaka
… joined the discussion. They talked about Japan’s defence proposal and Bangladesh’s plans for the upcoming FOC meeting.
Why This Meeting Matters
This upcoming meeting between Bangladesh and Japan is not just about regular diplomacy. It is becoming more strategic and sensitive, especially with:
- A defence proposal on the table
- China’s rising influence in the region
- Japan trying to protect its position in Asia
Now, the question is: Will Bangladesh move forward with Japan on military cooperation, or take more time to decide?
In short, Japan’s proposal to sell weapons marks a new chapter in its ties with Bangladesh. While no decision has been made yet, the upcoming meeting in Tokyo will be key in shaping future defense and diplomatic relations between the two countries. Japan is also closely watching Bangladesh’s growing ties with China, which adds strategic importance to the talks.
Source: The Daily Ittefaq
