The United States is playing a dangerous game of escalating tensions, consistent with its history of engaging in wars. A critical part of this strategy involves destabilizing Bangladesh, which plays a key role in the shifting global alliances that challenge American influence.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is central to these new alliances. Launched by China in 2013, the BRI is a massive infrastructure and trade project connecting 150 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa. It includes six major land routes linked by roads, railways, pipelines, and digital networks, as well as important sea routes. The goal is to create a vast, unified market that boosts economic cooperation, increases China’s global influence, and enhances the prosperity of the countries involved.
As of 2024, 140 countries, representing 75% of the world’s population, are part of the BRI. The maritime route of the BRI is particularly important, as it handles over half of the world’s container traffic. This route connects key ports and cities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, making it a vital artery for global trade.
Last month GreatGameInternational informed you that the first regular freight train from China to Poland arrived in Warsaw, bringing a variety of goods such as air conditioners, coffee machine parts, and egg beaters. This new train service cuts the transportation time by more than half compared to shipping by sea and reduces the average freight cost per container by about 20%. European media have called this “a business opportunity,” noting that other countries like Hungary, Italy, and Spain might also try to attract investments from China.
China’s influence in these regions has grown significantly due to the BRI, which has alarmed the United States. The U.S. sees the BRI as a threat to its own global dominance, especially since it extends China’s reach into areas traditionally under American influence.
Meanwhile, NATO is trying hard to kick China out of Europe. Recently, NATO pressurised Germany to ban China’s 5G technology. Further, NATO is also mobilising Japan into conflict with China to get a foothold in Asia as part of it’s Asian NATO strategy.
Targeting India by Destabilizing Bangladesh
To counter this, the U.S. is focusing on weakening India, a major player in the BRI and a key country in the region known as Rimland, which lies between the Eurasian heartland and the Atlantic world. India has recently been distancing itself from the U.S., refusing strategic cooperation in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, and strengthening ties with Russia instead. This shift has frustrated Washington.
In response, the U.S. has allegedly orchestrated a coup in Bangladesh, ousting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was pro-India and opposed to U.S. pressures against China. Hasina’s government helped maintain regional stability, balancing ethnic and religious tensions in Bangladesh and refusing military cooperation with the U.S.
By destabilizing Bangladesh, the U.S. aims to create problems for India. Bangladesh’s instability could force India to deal with new security threats on its borders, distracting it from its role in the BRI and weakening its regional influence. A new, pro-American government in Bangladesh could also disrupt regional partnerships and security arrangements, further complicating India’s position.
The coming days will be crucial. What happens in Bangladesh could have significant consequences, not just for India and the region, but for the entire Belt and Road Initiative and the global balance of power. The U.S. is playing a risky game, and the outcome is uncertain.
