Bangladesh a country in south Asia always in a dichotomy of being a large or small country. While geographically it is so, Bangladesh is the world’s 101st country in size with an area of 148,460 sq. km (57,320 sq. miles) with a population more than 173 million. (Anon., n.d.) On the other hand Singapore is the 175th in size with an area of 728 sq. km (281sq. miles) with a population of 5,832,387. Singapore is ranked 30th of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual Global Firepower review. This country is a Top 10 financial power according to its global standing in key categories.  Singapore is surrounded by larger neighbours Malaysia in the north with an area of 330,803 sq. km and Indonesia with 1,904,569 sq. km in the south across the strait of Singapore. The geographical size or the larger and powerful neighbors did not bar Singapore to pursue its national interest and achieve what they wanted to achieve. In the present day context when the Centre of Economic Gravity is shifting toward Asia and IPR, the importance of Bangladesh is growing. This article makes an endeavor to study the background and realities and Singapore how it pursued and achieved the balance of power by balancing its foreign policy. Whether or not the country, which is substantially smaller than Bangladesh, was able to achieve the same degree of growth as a first-world nations is undoubtedly a matter worthy of study.

Singapore, usually known as the Republic of Singapore, is a city-state with over three million inhabitants. Singapore is a successful, sovereign nation with a parliamentary form of government, despite the fact that its area is only 710 square kilometers. A large number of individuals, both inside and outside the country's boundaries, questioned Singapore's ability to continue as an independent nation.  

Obtaining independence unexpectedly on August 9, 1965, gaining recognition of Singapore's sovereign status was a crucial priority. Almost immediately after Singapore's admission to the UN on September 21, 1965, a small delegation of Singaporean officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Toh Chin Chye and the Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam, spent months traveling throughout continents to spread the world that this Southeast Asian island city-state was now an independent and sovereign nation. They needed to make as many friends as possible as quickly as possible for survival. Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore's prime minister from 1959 to 1990 turning Singapore to a nation from the point of extinction to a first-world power. 

Singapore was able to attract the friendship and early support of prominent world figures such as the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, the German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, the French President Jacques Chirac, the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and the former US Secretaries of State Dr. Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright. It was possible due to the persuasiveness and determination of their pioneering leaders, including the first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, meaning personality matters. 

Realities faced by the Leadership

Due to its diminutive size, Singapore had no meaningful strategic impact; in international politics, they are now price-takers as opposed to price-setters, and they were unable to avoid global trends. It lacks an abundance of natural resources relative to its population size, as well as harbors in crucial locations to facilitate regional trade. Moreover, there is a limitation on the human diversity of the population. The leadership of Singapore had to overcome the following difficulties: 

Given that the country's economy was in such a precarious situation shortly after gaining independence, the primary objective was to promote and encourage worldwide companies to invest in Singapore in order to stimulate the economy and provide employment opportunities.  To achieve this objective, a great deal of pressure was placed on the domestic businesses to expand their operations abroad. They entered into free trade agreements with a number of other nations and regional organizations in order to assist the execution of these initiatives besides enacting legislation for financial and tax incentives. 

Even the tiniest nations must maintain their independence. Both Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1978 (Times, 2019) and Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 were condemned by Singapore. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, K. Shanmugam, expressed his displeasure of Russia's invasion of Crimea. He emphasized Singapore's aversion to invasions of sovereign nations by force, regardless of justification. (Singapore, 2014)

Singapore believes that global issues should be resolved through direct bilateral negotiation or the intervention of a neutral third party, such as the ICJ. The area known as Pedra Branca was listed as belonging to Malaysia on a map dated 1979. In February 1980, Singapore lodged a complaint against Malaysia. The dispute damaged bilateral relations for years. In September of 1994, Malaysia and Singapore achieved a compromise and signed an accord. South Ledge "belongs to the State in whose territorial seas it is located," the ICJ ruled on May 23, 2008, but Middle Rocks and Pedra Branca are regarded to be the territory of Malaysia and Singapore, respectively. Ultimately, the ICJ resolved the three-decade-long dispute between Singapore and Malaysia. 

Being a small country Singapore strictly focused on maintaining territorial integrity. Especially during contesting for Middle Rocks and Pedra Branca with Malaysia, they referred to ICJ and accepted the verdict. 

Singapore's significance to the rest of the globe cannot be taken for granted; rather, it must be maintained, preserved, and bolstered continuously. This objective has been pursued in a variety of methods, including assimilation into the greater Southeast Asian community and deeper integration with the region's social and political structures. These are only two of the numerous techniques have been taken. Singapore was one of the founding members of the ASEAN in 1967, only two years after attaining independence. The efforts to widen and enhance the ASEAN have been beneficial. Singapore’s position have been firm as a part of a greater whole. 

In his 1976 work Sinnatharim, Rajaratnam conveyed this goal in a modest but too ambitious manner. He made the argument, "When there are multiple suns. The gravitational attraction of each is not just diminished, but strategic utilization of the attraction of each diminishes it further. Careful use of the pull of each is not the only consideration. This aim has been, for Singapore, a balance of power, or, more precisely, a distribution of power that would deny undue dominance to a possible hegemon in the region by engaging external nations in relationship patterns that achieve this objective. Specifically, this balance of power would prevent a future hegemon from dominating the region (Leifer, 2000, pp. 39, 40)

Singapore's leaders have traditionally approached the subject of foreign policy from the standard realist perspective of a small state having to deal with a potentially hostile and government less globe. In Singapore, the concept and practice of balance of power have not been treated in a crudely mechanical fashion. Since it is not simply dependent on responding and adjusting to indices of military might by shifting alignment, as was commonplace in Europe throughout the seventeenth century. It has always been the case that the regional balance, or to be more exact, the allocation of power, has a discriminatory attitude. The question that must be answered is not how to defend against every potential good or negative factor that could affect Singapore's interests.

Singapore may now suffer a tug of war between two mightiest world power USA and China which in now the most interesting bilateral relationship in the global system. However the economic competition is turning to strategic competition to strategic rivalry. Especially, when the conflict is centering the Taiwan Strait, the Singapore will face a sever dilemma. 

Nations States around the world have become more aligned to larger States with benefit and led to the "hollowing out" of the political centre. This tendency has led the world to a geopolitical situation predominantly by an increasingly instant transactional attitude and a zero-sum mindset.

Many view international agreements as constraints on national autonomy and impediments to economic development. Singapore and the rest of ASEAN have benefited immensely over many decades from the free, open, rules-based trading system. If countries reject multilateralism and economic connections decline, a negative sum will occur.

Singapore must defend the multilateral, rules-based global trading system because its trade volume is over three times the country's GDP. This wasn't a topic of contention; it was Singapore's very survival.

Singapore was always bold in the quest of sovereignty and autonomy. Never has it compromised. Because of this approach, Singapore has been able to gain the respect of its peers and become a more important player in international affairs. It has been able to maintain positive relationships with the world's leading nations and play a positive role in international affairs thanks to the credibility it has earned.

The leadership always emphasized the need to underline the need for Singapore to remain relevant in order for the country to prosper and grow. The fact that Singapore hosted the meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last year, he added, upheld the country's reputation as a neutral, dependable, and secure host as well as a dependable and consistent partner.

Leadership stated the importance of fostering positive relationships with Singapore's immediate neighbors in order to maintain regional peace and stability. As Singapore's closest neighbors, Indonesia and Malaysia hold a unique place in the country's diplomatic priorities. The "ultimate currency" was Singapore's diplomacy. Following the foreign policy precept in line of the Singapore, Bangladesh has seen some very good returns thus far.

As the external environment grows more unstable, it is imperative that Singapore maintain its agility and equilibrium.  (Lai, 2019) Singapore adopted following IR Options: 

• Push to Multilateralism.

• Remain a credible and dependable and trustworthy partner.

• Maintain its position on the global scene.

• Establish friendships with all.

• Political will, determination and leadership. 

Once Henry Kissinger mocked Bangladesh saying as bottomless basket. The country has now presented itself as a role model of development. In last fifty year it has been able to achieve remarkable progress in different parameters and envisioned for achieving strategic visions step by step. IR, Foreign Policy and Strategic foresightedness will be even more crucial in the coming days. The Case of Singapore has been studied and learnt how a tiny island has adapted itself with the reality and adopted appropriate policies and strategies. 

The statutory guidance, spirit of Liberation War and evolvement of the nation through last fifty years the National values listed as follow: 

• Democracy and Human Rights.

• Socialism and freedom from exploitation. 

• Secularism. 

• National Unity (People’s Bonding).

• Equality and justice.

• Humanity.

• Mutual respect for cultural diversity and religious beliefs.

Fundamental aim of the state to realise through the democratic process a socialist society, free from exploitation- a society in which the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedom, equality and justice, political, economic and social, will be secured for all citizens”. The objective, aim, and ideology are rooted in the 1971 Liberation War. Three realities emerge as a result of this purpose: determination to have political autonomy; no discrimination based on caste, color, creed, religion, or parochial differences; and statutory guidance, National Purpose, and National Interest. All constitute the reasons for our Independence, aspiration for our existence, and urge to prosper as an independent state to achieve a ‘Bangladesh Dream'.  

The Strategic Vision of Bangladesh in the current geopolitical scenario is concluded as “Secured, prosperous and enlightened Bangladesh with peaceful, stable and dignified position in the competing world. 

In Bangladesh perspective her vital interest is the – “Sovereignty and territorial integrity, Spirit of the “Liberation War” and “July Revolution”, Political Autonomy and economic independence, Cultural integrity and heritage and Internal Peace and Stability of the State.” In current geo-political environment significant interest for Bangladesh may be – to survive as an independent nation with dignity and human security. Bangladesh will stand tall with three Zeroes; zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero carbon emission. 

As the World's only surviving superpower, the U.S. will not abandon its military preeminence in the IOR, and it will use soft and hard force to accomplish so. China's official policy is "development without confrontation," suggesting the country will enhance its weight through diplomatic and economic means. India will continue to dominate the Indian Ocean. A stable, independent Bangladesh free of Chinese influence would help the US and India. China will prioritize a BoB energy and trade entrance. India will continue to consider Bangladesh essential to its strategic interests and would use all means to reduce Chinese predominance.

 

Sovereignty in the modern world usually refers to a government's freedom to formulate policy and pursue those to the best of country’s interest without any external influences. In the present context Bangladesh will reemerge as stable and autonomous nation. National unity and cohesion will be the source of power and central to the National Sovereignty and Dignity. 

In the past whenever Bangladesh had flourished, fortune seekers came here and tried to subjugate the people. Bargis, Mughals, British and Pakistan extracted the bounties from this land. Today internal peace and stability much depends on the happenings beyond its national boundary. Bangladesh remains susceptible to the major powers’ game plans. They may ignite internal political unrests and discord into violence by fuelling feuds. They may also cause great security hazards by sponsoring ethnic or extremist groups for their gains.

To get the desired blue growth, Bangladesh needs unhindered access to the living and non-living resources of the seas under national jurisdiction. Any disturbance or interference on her SLOC, will bring the nation on the knees in no time. From that consideration, any military confrontation is likely to strike the very lifeline of Bangladesh.

Coming to new century Bangladesh started rising over the horizon changing its fate from aid receiving to achieving self-reliance. Challenges those lay ahead can be categorized to security and development related one with some having both implications:

• Rohingya Issue Over the time this issue has become one of the top security concern of the country with very little or no response from Myanmar. With the changed political situation in Myanmar, Bangladesh may need to pursue an adaptive policy. 

• The Russia – Ukraine War and Middle East crises had an immediate impact on Bangladesh and the global economy which is also impacting Bangladesh.

• Phenomenon of climate change is one of the most serious challenges that have pulled back the national development and endangered security from the climate refuge. Mega scale natural disasters have badly affected the economy, crop damage and causing internal displacements.

• Any dispute in Bay of Bengal will have both security and long term development concerns for Bangladesh for maintaining it SLOC. The situation will be much grave if it is a prolonged one due to huge dependency on import and more importantly for energy resources. 

“Bangladesh Dream" refers to a utopian society with full economic and social equality and unrestrained political freedom based on nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism. Bangladesh must utilize multipliers, catalytic, and complementing actions bilaterally, regionally, and globally to protect its total sovereignty and political and economic autonomy in pursuit of IR. To get the most out of IR, Bangladesh will need to think outside the box and make some significant changes to its strategy.

Bangladesh, it needs to have its Border secured as like any independent Nation strives to have. The nation must preserve its Political Autonomy for which the nation has struggled hundreds of years. For ensuring the wellbeing of her citizenry who were exploited for thousand years by intruders and political masters, the country must have internal Stability. Lives of the people of the country must be valued with state being at their service. The development of the national institutions and infrastructures need to be ensured.  Any wrong Strategic choice by the State the peoples suffer. For development and security will mostly revolve around its engagement options and policies.  

Bangladesh by and large believes in rule based international order and effectiveness of the international institutions. While Bangladesh may tend to rely on the IR theory of Liberalism and expects the states to behave accordingly. But It accepts the fact that the anarchical international system where there is no international government, theory of Realism gets the dominance in determining the international relation, power politics and international order. As such Bangladesh should base it IR on basis of Defensive Realism Theory. 

Bangladesh seeks friendship to all. It also expects other nations also to extend their friendly hands on the basis on sovereignty, equality and dignity. It is a part of the National Strategic culture of Bangladesh to offer cooperation but also very resistant if there is an element of dictation which tantamount to an interference. As such Bangladesh will look for an engagement policy with other Nations on the basis of gains on both sides not exploitation. 

Flexible, intelligent, adaptable, sensible, recyclable foreign policy with built in feedback system incorporated. The policy should be flexible enough to Foreign Policy should be able to assess the call of the moment and seek the appropriate decision for the Government to the best interest of the nation. 

While at the policy engagements would continue on the basis of a structured policy by different Government offices the people to people contact shall have to be facilitated. Bangladesh diaspora living in there have to be actively sponsored. Regular exchange of academics, students, cultural groups, sports teams, business enterprises should be encouraged to have exchange programme even at private level.

 

Bangladesh desires to maintain good relations with neighbours. Bangladesh need not to have any military alliance with any country for its national security objectives. However, it does not limits the defence cooperation which Bangladesh has with number countries such as India, China, USA, KSA etc. for different weapons system, technology and training exchange programme. Bangladesh may consider military deployment when it is brokered by UN with specific mandate supported by UN Resolution. 

It is a universal truth that people always tends to have a friend who is capable and who has potentials. In fifty years of independence Bangladesh has risen to a place of respect today. Bangladesh needs to be strong. One of the most precious and important assets it has is the population which is still youth bulge. Bangladesh needs to invest heavily in education and technology. Experts say that agriculture shall continue to meet the food security while the education will lead the nation to a new destiny. Education should give more emphasis on STEAM; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. 

One of the major security issues Bangladesh is facing is Rohingya issue which Bangladesh must handle prudently. But, the issue must not die here. It has to be carried forward since it is a major issue possibly turning vital for Bangladesh security as well as for South Asian Region in the long run. Bangladesh needs to make it common agenda point whatsoever repetitive it might appear.   

Having studied the case of Singapore, it is understood that well thought of  Foreign Policy and due diligence by the leadership and determination of the people may lead a nation of even a size of a city state Singapore may take to a height that many country aspires for years. Singapore had the determination, leaders had the ability to maintain their relevance by a smart application of multilateral foreign policy. While it maintained friendship to all major powers including the dominant neighbour, never it compromised on the question of autonomy. In the neighbourhood, it is not always smaller powers who suffers the dilemmas but the bigger powers do too. As Bangladesh has always wanted and strived to work for neighbourhood stability, expects cooperation from both the neighbours. The strategic relation should be complementary to each other with mutual respects, with the principle of “we grow together” to make our development sustainable. Bangladesh needs to explore the opportunity all over the world as the country has limited natural resources. It main resources is the Population, manpower. Manpower need to effective employed to generated income in home and abroad. For this Bangladesh require to pursue IR with other countries. Especially the country who has the ability to influence. 

Bangladesh needs to remain on track to meet her desired development goals while facing all odds on the way. To materialize the dream of a new Bangladesh with no discrimination and fulfilling people’s will, the followings are recommended: 

• Bangladesh maintain a good International Relations on the basis of equality and dignity. 

• Singapore Case study lessons shows that a small nation can also survive with national security, international relevance and strong economy with a comprehensive balancing strategic policy. It also indicates the long term vision and persuasion of the leadership. 

• On different issues Bangladesh must go for calculated Alignment Protocols with countries and forums as required on specific issues. Bangladesh should try and join as many forums as possible. 

• Bangladesh may take initiative to propose an inclusive and greater regional platform where Bangladesh may have a greater space for multilateralism. 

• Bangladesh should extend it diplomatic reach by increasing it diplomatic missions to as many countries as possible to explore the opportunities for Bangladesh. Especially in South America and Africa.    

• Bangladesh must maintain National Unity to foil any threat towards its security and development.