DHAKA: During his visit to Bangladesh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took the opportunity to criticize the foreign policy of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region.
His comments come at a time when Bangladesh is seeking international partnerships ahead of its general elections scheduled for the end of January. Western governments and human rights organizations have expressed concerns about the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing it of stifling critics and suppressing political dissent.
Lavrov, alongside his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen, spoke to reporters on Thursday, emphasizing Bangladesh’s commitment to pursuing a foreign policy driven by its national interests. He asserted, Despite the pressure exerted upon Bangladesh by the United States and its allies, our Bangladeshi friends are guided exclusively by their national interest in their foreign policy.
The Russian Foreign Minister went on to accuse the United States and its allies of pursuing their interests in the region through the so-called Indo-Pacific strategy. Lavrov suggested that their objectives include deterring China and isolating Russia in the region. These remarks underscore the geopolitical tensions and competition that have been brewing in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years.
Lavrov’s visit to Bangladesh was part of his diplomatic itinerary leading up to the G20 leaders’ summit in India, where he was slated to represent Russia in place of President Vladimir Putin. During his visit, he announced that Bangladesh and Russia had reached an agreement to enhance their trade and investment relations. Notably, Bangladesh is currently in the process of constructing its first nuclear power plant, the 2,400-megawatt Rooppur station, with Russian support.
This ambitious $12.65 billion project, primarily financed by a loan from Moscow, represents one of the largest infrastructure initiatives initiated by Prime Minister Hasina during her nearly 15-year tenure. However, the project’s execution and loan repayment have encountered challenges due to Washington’s sanctions on Russian state-run firms and banks, stemming from Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
Lavrov offered some optimism regarding the Rooppur project, revealing that the first shipment of nuclear fuel is expected to arrive in Bangladesh in October. This development could mark a significant step forward in the collaboration between Bangladesh and Russia in the energy sector.
