Brigadier General Md Mostafizur Rahman, ndc, hdmc, afwc, psc, PhD

is serving as the Chief of Doctrine Division in Headquarters Army Training and Doctrine Command

1.1          Introduction

In this restless situation of the world shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine War, and the Middle East crisis in Tandem, the economies of the world are stumbling, and the people have uncertainties about the future. In this precarious situation, it is more necessary than at any time in the past to make regional cooperation. The author would try to focus more on South Asia and especially Bangladesh and developing cooperating relations between South and Central Asia, as it was presented at the International Scientific Conference on “Regional Cooperation in the Context of Security and Modern Development” at the Academy of the Armed Forces in the People’s Republic of Uzbekistan. From the very beginning of the emergence of Bangladesh people had always promoted peace through regional cooperation. Samarkand and Bukhara have strong cultural linkage with the peoples of both the countries and Central Asia, part of it is still undiscovered though. In the rapidly changing world scenario, regional cooperation is becoming important for survival in unity.

1.2  World Scenario

The geopolitical scenario due to power politics is changing very rapidly. In three decades, the world witnessed the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, turning the world into a unipolar world led by the USA. China has slowly and steadily emerged into the strategic space and aspires to share power. India is also aspiring to rise as a regional power. Russia is trying to regain its lost valour, which it ceded with the disintegration of the USSR. Meaning that the world is moving towards a multipolar world system. Maybe the onus of leading the world will not rest on any country or group of countries either. The kind of multi-polarity the world might get in a couple of decades could be a fluid multi-polarity, which would be extensively time sensitive. Group of countries besides the major powers like USA, China, India, Brazil, Australia, etc. ASEAN, Central Asia, and South Asia as groups may rise as the polarity of powers in the world. While the powerful nations fight Non-Traditional Threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the impacts of climate change that shook the world. Let alone the wars causing suffering to millions of people in different parts of the world. The rippled effects on the world economy ultimately cause every world citizen to suffer. In this competing globalized world, no nation can survive in isolation. Regional cooperation through forums and organizations gives platforms for the nations to talk and resolve mutually beneficial issues. Like Central Asia, South Asia too has experienced colonial rules over centuries transformed into independent nations. Interestingly, many of these countries had been together before demarcation. Since its inception, some countries have inherited disputes over geographical boundaries or other issues of conflicting national interests. Regional cooperation mechanisms may play an effective role in reducing and defusing tensions through dialogues and negotiations.

1.3  National Security, Human Security, and Stability Correlation

National security is the capacity of a state to ensure the protection and defence of its territory. A general citizen understands security as encompasses the acronym Border, Autonomy, Development, Stability (BADS). These are aspects that no single republic can handle on its own and, as such, require multinational collaboration (Longley, 2021). A country needs to have its border secured, as an independent nation strives to have. The nation must preserve its political autonomy. To ensure the well-being (human security) of her citizenry, the country must have economic and infrastructural development. And then, to sustain the development, the internal stability to be maintained.

1.4 Bangladesh, History and Heritage

In South Asia, Bangladesh has a distinct geopolitical, cultural, and historical significance. It is in the east of India near the tip of the Bay of Bengal. This area was the part of Pala Empire.  By the mid-8th century, it was the dominant force in northern India. The 12th-century Hindu Sena dynasty assumed control of the area after that. Trade between the Pala Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate spread Islam to the region. The Bengal Sultanate, which was established in the year 1352, grew to become one of the world's wealthiest trading states. Bengal Subah was the most prosperous province of the Mughal Empire after its conquest in 1576. It became a major exporter and hub to produce cotton fabrics, silk, and ships. Its economy included 12 percent of the world's GDP, which was more than that of Western Europe, and its populace enjoyed superior living circumstances. After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the Bengal Presidency came into the hands of the British East India Company. Before the colonization by the British, Bangladesh was intimately linked with civilizational heritage and linkage of Central Asia. Which is manifested by even the food habits and cultures. (Anon., n.d.) Bangladesh is the 8th largest country in consideration of its population, which is the 42nd economy of the world and maintained 7 percent GDP growth till the breakout of the Russia-Ukraine War. It is the world’s 2nd largest RMG exporting country and the highest troops’ contributor in the UN Peacekeeping Mission. Bangladesh has earned a good name as a Disaster Resilient Country with no major loss of lives with even more severe natural calamities in recent times.

1.5  Major Issues Impacting the Security of the States in Central and South Asia

1.5.1  Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of people into poverty and significantly increased income and wealth inequality in the region. This state posed a serious challenge for leaders, especially since the growth of food and commodity prices compounded economic insecurities.  The pandemic brought both the formal and informal economies in the region to severe situations. Lockdowns in different countries caused huge unemployment, pushing people below the poverty line. In this situation, countries responded with stimulus programs, which might have worked temporarily. However, the extent of the economic crisis suggested that it would take a long time to get back to normal and withstand the consequential dangers. Countries had initiated mass vaccination programs and regenerated their economies, but a subsequent wave of infections forced policymakers to place new restrictions.  The reappearance of COVID-19 has put the region’s emerging economic regaining at serious risk. (Younus, 2022)

1.5.2  The Russia-Ukraine War’s

The Russia-Ukraine War, in tandem with the Covid crisis, was a strategic shock involving 1.7 trillion Dollars in GDP. Together, Russia and Ukraine account for a sizeable portion of the world's supplies of oil, gas, and other commodities.  Hence, this war has had a negative influence on their supply chains around the world. Resultant sanction by the West had complemented the case with severe consequences. Beyond uncertainty, it disrupted the supply chain worldwide. It did not spare the friend or foe. It blocked the flow of food grains, essential goods, gasoline, auto parts, and machines, through the global market. As a result of this most trade conglomerates and millions of individuals experienced economic hardship. The South Asian economy has also been harmed by the war. Due to the region's net importation, trade links have a direct impact on South Asia in the form of increased commodity prices. (Anon., n.d.)

1.5.3  Impact of Climate Change

While the global temperature is rising, after 2040 climate change will tremendously impact the World. This will be risking numerous natural and human systems. There are 127 key risks, identified and assessed as mid- and long-term evils impacting multiple times more severe than currently suffered. The extent and degree of climate change and its risks depend strongly on near-term mitigation and adaptation actions. Some of the projected adverse impacts, related losses, and damages that worsen with the rise of global warming are given as follows: (Hans-Otto Pörtner, n.d.)

o             Loss and degradation of biodiversity and alteration of ecosystems.

o             Possible risks in the availability of water and water-related health hazards.

o             Climate change will gradually put pressure on food security production and nutrition. 

o             Climate change and its effects will significantly create severe health issues causing premature deaths.

o             Larger parts of the Globe will be exposed to heat waves with increasing warming.

o             The vulnerability of cities, populations, and key infrastructure to climate change will increase many folds. 

o             Supposedly global net economic losses will increase non-linearly. 

o             Climate refuges will cause regional agitation.

1.6  Importance of South Asia

As a link between the Mediterranean in the west and the Indian Ocean in the east, the South Asian region is crucial from a strategic standpoint. Also, this area has developed into a key hub for marine trade, linking the nations that create natural resources with the states that consume them. Via this region, more than two-thirds of the world’s oil and more than 80% of the oil used in China and Japan are transported. These waterways are used by almost 50% of all container shipping worldwide. South Asia is a large and complicated region with one-fifth of the world’s population and a land size of more than five million square kilometers. The countries in South Asia are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.  Lately, Afghanistan has sometimes been considered South Asian. However, sometimes it is considered as part of Central Asia too. Myanmar is not a South Asian country; however, her physical borders with India and Bangladesh brought into South Asian regional matters.

1.7 Traditional and Nontraditional Security Challenges

Traditional and nontraditional security risks exist throughout South Asia, and they reinforce one another. The vulnerability of the area is increased by these problems. The root of the problem remains poverty and its affiliated issues like food insecurity and resource depletion with additional dimensions added due to climate change and its resultant impacts. Such as water scarcity, environmental degradation, and inadequate health facilities have impacts on millions of South Asians. These problems have not been given priority by their administrations. While making investments in human development, several nations continue to use antiquated security measures. Conflicts over natural resources, geographical difficulties, and ideological conflicts all pose serious threats to the area. It is a failure that these nations are unable to resolve disputes productively. Soft threats grew when South Asia's development slowed down. The neighbors' ties have been strained ever since independence. The two nuclear powers have had conventional confrontations, military standoffs, and cross-border battles. Although they typically share a border, by and large, land and land borders have been settled in most of the area between most countries, post-colonial unresolved border demarcations have raised many issues of contention between some of the countries in the region.

1.8  FDMN or Rohingya Issue: Potential Cause for Regional Destabilization

The brutality and persecution of the Rohingya people may rank as the greatest injustice in the annals of human civilization. Qualitative information gleaned, through The Rohingya is a Muslim-majority ethnic community who have long been residing in Myanmar which is a predominately Buddhist country. The only way to defuse the tension and save Rohingyas from the scourge is a proactive role in mediating and increasing international pressure on the Burmese government to resolve the Rohingya problem. (Ahmed, 2022)

1.8.1 Who are these Rohingya People

The Muslim Rohingya have resided in Buddhist Myanmar for millennia. The total number of Rohingyas still in Myanmar is estimated to be around 600,000 as of November 2019. (BBC, 23 January 2020) Many Rohingyas have fled the country due to persecution and genocide by the Myanmar military and Buddhist nationalists23. The UN estimates that over 168,000 Rohingyas have left Myanmar since 2012, (UNHCR, 2017) and more than 740,000 have sought refuge in Bangladesh since 2017. (BBC, 23 January 2020)  The Rohingya are considered one of the most persecuted minorities in the world and have been denied citizenship and basic rights by the Myanmar government3. (en.wikipedia, n.d.) Rohingya or Ruaingga is a dialect exclusive to Myanmar. They're not one of Myanmar's 135 designated ethnic groups and have been denied nationality from the early 80s, making them stateless. According to historians and Rohingya organizations, Muslims have been in Myanmar since the 12th century. The Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) is a diplomatic and advocacy organization made up of Rohingya leaders, based in the United Kingdom. (Programs, 2018) It claims that the Rohingya people are the descendants of the ancient Arakan Kingdom, which was an independent coastal state in western Myanmar.  (Programs, 2018) However, this claim is disputed by the Myanmar government and some historians, who argue that the Rohingya are recent migrants from Bangladesh and have no historical or cultural ties to Arakan. (Organisation, 2019) The ARNO also seeks the right of self-determination and full citizenship for the Rohingya people, who have been persecuted and discriminated by the Myanmar government for decades. (Programs, 2018) In the current decade, thousands of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar have been raped, tortured, and slaughtered by Myanmar’s Security Forces and their associates.

International and local nonprofit organizations consider this a crime against humanity. Many Rohingya crossed the bordering Naf River into Bangladesh to escape. (Staff, 2018) By 2018, 1.3 million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar to escape persecution. One of the biggest migrations in recent history involved the Rohingya people. Only those who had established themselves in Myanmar before 1948 were granted citizenship, according to the 1982 Burmese citizenship law. Since then, the Rohingya people have been forcefully pushed into Bangladesh, returning to their so-called home country by the governing Buddhists in Myanmar. They also used the military and armed forces in discriminating actions and horrific treatment such as raping, forced disappearances, and genocide. The Rohingya-led National Democratic Party for Human Rights won four seats in the Burmese parliament at the 1990 general election. The four Rohingya MPs were Shamsul Anwarul Huq, Chit Lwin Ebrahim, Fazal Ahmed, and Nur Ahmed. (Anon., n.d.)

1.8.2  Transnational Security

The transnational security in the regions is fragile and susceptible as violations of human rights are associated with crime and violence, the severe rejection of basic human rights has forced the Rohingya to maintain a nexus with notorious gangs.   The transnational security issue is a growing concern amid the crisis as a result of the aggravation of societal instabilities like terrorism, human trafficking, arms running, sex traps, drug trades, extremism etc.

1.8.3 Drug Smuggling, Trafficking and Sex Tourism

Drug smugglers utilize Rohingya to distribute drugs from Myanmar. Refugees are very vulnerable due to the lack of social and political life and poverty. As such they are subjected to deliberate target for smuggling drugs to make money. As per the study of the think tanks Myanmar is a hub for producing and marketing drugs. With the help of Burmese military and border guard forces, Myanmar drug dealers exports drugs to Bangladesh. And Myanmar's Rohingya population may be employed for drug smuggling. Human traffickers recruit adolescents and young Rohingya women to become sex workers or drug pushers. By the Human Rights Watching Staff, it is observed that the Myanmar army's eviction and persecution had separated many children from their families.

1.8.4 Terrorism and Militancy

Notorious outlaw groups commonly use the communities of Rohingya as a network for moving firearms. The youthful groups’ involvement and ties to militant groups are driven by their obscured future, national identity crisis, and lack of access to fundamental rights. There have already been reports of gang activity in the Rohingya camp. If this is accurate, the peace and regional security of the countries in this region will soon face a significant challenge.

18.5 Resolving Rohingya Crisis: Way Forward

Since Bangladesh had accepted FDMN access on the grounds of humanity, Rohingya have flooded the southeastern part of the country. Bangladesh cannot provide a permanent home for the growing number of FDMN since it has already a huge population in the limited geographical territory. UN organizations, NGOs, and INGOs provide Rohingyas with basic requirements. Long-term, Bangladesh may not be able to support the Rohingya. Bangladesh accepts a substantial number of Rohingya people and shows human consideration. Otherwise, FDMN would have been victims of one of the world's horrendous holocausts. Of late, due to the other major events in the world such as the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Palestine war, and the impacts of COVID-19, international attention and efforts have been diverted toward those. The flow of donations and aid for these FDMNs from different organizations and nations has drastically reduced. Bangladesh is experiencing difficulties in managing the issue of FDMN.  Return of the FMDN to Myanmar is the only way to resolve the problem.  Myanmar's government remains dead slow and indifferent to the repeated urges of Bangladesh. Until the Myanmar Government changes its approach and makes legal commitments and a positive outlook on its attitude towards the FDMN, it will not feel assured of its security to go back to Myanmar.

1.9 Afghanistan Taliban Takeover: Regional Risks and Repercussions

The Taliban retook Kabul and Afghanistan 20 years after the U.S. and its allies evicted them. Taliban’s sudden return to power shocked many Afghans and outsiders. This created a situation for sparked future problems. Debates erupted regarding the facts; whether the Taliban which has moderated from what it was in the 1990s could govern and if Afghanistan could be a responsible international member under their rule. They were initially moderate. They declared a general amnesty, committed to forming an inclusive administration, and vowed to protect Afghan rights and liberties. Afghanistan's economy is in tatters, and it is assumed that the regime has terrorist safe havens. Recent events have suggested that the Taliban's Islamic Emirate may destabilize Afghanistan as it consolidates power in the long run. A year after the Taliban's return, Afghanistan's future seems bleak as it has not yet obtained international recognition though it is maintaining limited informal diplomatic interactions with a few neighbouring states. The group's leadership is still ineffective though it is manifesting temporary success in some aspects of the economy and daily business. Recent developments show that the Taliban's Islamic Emirate would destabilize Afghanistan and the region. Taliban Cabinet and top officials lack administrative experience. The Taliban's prime minister insists they never promised food. The government restricts inhabitants' rights and liberties, especially women and girls, causing dissatisfaction. The Taliban's failure to rule will ultimately escalate causing a humanitarian catastrophe, popular discontent, violent opposition, and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).   Their power will destabilize Afghanistan and cause regional turmoil. (Radfar, 2022)

1.9.1 Regional Impacts

The existing Afghan government under the Taliban has not yet been recognized by the world community, not even its neighbors. Seeking involvement and recognition from the region and beyond, the Taliban have claimed that Afghanistan under their authority will be a responsible international member, won't harbor terrorist groups, and won't enable groups to use Afghan soil against other countries. But Afghanistan could not assure the international community to deny the Afghan land to become a sanctuary for terrorists and a menace to neighboring countries under their leadership. According to the 30th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, terrorist organizations operate training camps in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Their soldiers and fighters are in Taliban fighting formations and they are leading them. If the Taliban hosts al-Qaeda officials, whose presence could cost them recognition and survival. It would be unlikely to cut ties with or move against other terrorist groups. Terrorist groups have joined terrorist organizations, virtually without any ideology just based on protection and business. Foreign fighters have built connections with the Taliban, including marriages. They're loyal to the Taliban leader and popular among fighters. Taliban also target ISKP. The gang can attack Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from Afghanistan. ISKP is small but might expand if the Taliban alienates the populace. Possibility of expanding and establishing nexus further towards the south through India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh too.

1.9.2 Future Destabilization

The Taliban are willing to risk for Islamist groups and former allies, so they're unlikely to strike against them. Cooperating with the Taliban has long-term repercussions. Pakistan, China, and India have contacted the Taliban to reduce extremist concerns. Taliban may agree soon for recognition. To prevent Afghanistan from fomenting problems in the area, the international community, regional governments, the US, EU, and UN agencies may work together. 

1.10  Regional Cooperation Architecture

1.10.1    South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

SAARC was founded in 1983. The objectives of SAARC were to promote social and cultural development, foster economic progress, and enhance the standard of living for South Asians through economic cooperation and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. The main objectives of the SAARC as a regional association of states still need to be fulfilled. SAARC has had little influence compared to the European, ASEAN, and the African Union. Though the eight South Asian nations have close physical, historical, cultural, social, and economic ties, regional cooperation has lagged due to ongoing hostility, conflict, and disagreements among member states over every proposal, no matter how sound. Although the SAARC charter forbids bilateral and contentious topics, bilateral problems are given priority. In the present context, SAARC is the least effective. It even failed to make any headway for a top-level meeting in recent years. However, a few successes/achievements have been made regarding cultivation, education, and Medicare. There were some activities in Economy Trade (SAFTA in 2006), SAARC Development Fund, Integrated Programme of Action (2012), counterterrorism, SAARC satellite, education, sports, etc. However, there are still significant obstacles to overcome to turn this forum into an effective mechanism to work as a regional forum.

1.10.2    Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

BIMSTEC is a multinational regional organization designed to accelerate shared growth and collaboration amongst littoral and neighboring countries in the Bay of Bengal Region. It includes seven members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand created BIST-EC in June 1997 with the Bangkok Declaration. Myanmar joined in 1997, changing the acronym to BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation), and Nepal and Bhutan joined in 2004. Smith Nakandala, BIMSTEC's first Secretary General, said, "We're not reinventing the wheel; we're rediscovering the Bay of Bengal's common legacy." Unlike other regional groups, BIMSTEC is a sector-driven cooperative organization looking at seven sectors: science, technology, and innovation; trade and investment; environment and climate change; agriculture and food security; security; people-to-people contacts; and connectivity.

1.10.3    Challenges and Setbacks for BIMSTEC

According to foreign policy specialists, BIMSTEC's progress is inefficient and "inactive." Inconsistent policymaking and operational meetings were mentioned. BIMSTEC's secretariat needs more financial and human resources for operations. BIMSTEC members need to improve trans-border trade and connectivity. BIMSTEC countries have struggled to develop a common, profitable coastal cargo ecology and frequently detain fishermen who cross borders. In recent years, Bangladesh-Myanmar ties over the Rohingya FDMN crisis, the India-Nepal border dispute, and the political scenario in Myanmar when the military regime took power in February highlighted BIMSTEC's growth.

1.11 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Tens of the Southeast Asian Nations; Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam constitute the ASEAN. It aims to foster economic and security cooperation among its members. A total of 665 million people live in the ASEAN countries. It constitutes a combined GDP of 3.2 trillion Dollars. The group has been a key factor in the fiscal integration of Asia. The Organization negotiated the world's largest free trade agreement and concluded six free trade agreements with other regional economies. To block the spread of communism, ASEAN was established in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The members signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia the same year. The treaty emphasizes mutual respect and noninvolvement in other countries' affairs. The charter laid a roadmap for a community comprising three branches: the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN Political-Security Community, and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. ASEAN brings together nations that have notable differences. According to 2020 World Bank data, Singapore has the highest GDP per capita in the group at about $60,000. Myanmar has the lowest at about $1,400. For instance, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center report, Indonesia and Singapore are among the most religiously diverse nations in the world, while Cambodia, which has most Buddhists, and Vietnam, which has a majority of Muslims, are relatively homogeneous. Archipelagos and continental land masses with low plains and mountainous terrain make up the geography of ASEAN. According to the research and advocacy organization Freedom House, Timor-Leste is still the only entirely free democracy in Southeast Asia today. ASEAN has resulted in political benefits to the region. Tensions among neighbors had a historical legacy and here, ASEAN has served as an opportunity for dialogue. It helps defuse disputes and baring escalation between countries and to ensure relative regional stability.  (Zhang, 2020)

1.12 Regional Security Structure in Central Asia

1.12.1    Central Asian Cooperation Organization (CACO)

Countries of Central Asia such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, formed the Central Asian Cooperation Organization in 2002and Russia joined in 2004.  Georgia, Turkey, and Ukraine joined as observers. The CACO was created to further progress and diversify political dialogue; develop the forms and mechanisms of regional economic integration; deepen mutual understanding on joint security issues; elaborate mutual efforts in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region; develop cooperation in political, trade and economic, scientific and technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres. In July 2003, Kazakhstan's president asked the International Financial Institutions (IFI) to help CACO formulate measures to handle significant regional concerns. Concerning trade, member states recently proposed a "step by stage" strategy to create a single market in the region and an FTA within 15 years. Russia's recent accession (May 28, 2004) is expected to shift CACO's center of gravity. CACO focuses on improving regional safety and stability to strengthen the region's economy.

1.12.2    Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

The SCO has steadily grown since its founding in 2021. The SCO has eight full members and covers over three-fifths of the Eurasian continent. The organization accounts for nearly half of the world's population and a quarter of the global gross domestic product (GDP). It has played a key role in promoting stability in Central Asia. The SCO has helped its member states achieve border stability and security over the past 20 years. It is done by signing the Treaty of Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation of the SCO member states, anti-terrorism cooperation, and a shared goal of economic development. However, the SCO now plays a more significant and symbolic role globally. As President Xi noted in his speech, "We will create strong momentum and new dynamism for ensuring durable peace and common prosperity of the Eurasian continent and the entire world by promoting the development and expansion of the SCO and giving full play to its positive impact." The SCO is both relevant, and its commitments are not cliche. In today's tumultuous international environment, the SCO serves as the region's anchor and a model of international relations for nations looking to navigate the unrest. It demonstrates a system in which various political ideologies and systems do not obstruct international cooperation. The demonstrated pragmatism and practical approach to world affairs are reminiscent of a past global order and a future that the world should strive to create. It's interesting to note that the India, China, and Pakistan trio is successful in this framework while failing in the South Asian region's exclusive regional framework.

1.13 Areas of Cooperation between Central and South Asia

1.13.1    Energy Security

Central Asia contains rich energy resources of petroleum. Central Asian energy is required inside the Region and by external consumers such as Russia, China, Europe, and India. (Alkuwaiti, 2020) Besides its unique geographical and climatic circumstances, Central Asia holds abundant and diverse energy resources, such as natural gas, oil, raw coal, and. It has also the potential for plentiful untapped renewable energy resources, such as hydro, solar, wind, and biomass energy indicating the available natural energy resources by country. (Energy Situation in Central Asia, n.d.)

1.13.2    Energy Security and Cooperation  Bangladesh is developing rapidly, and growing industrialization requires energy. The Central Asian regions have got it in abundance which may be shared by cooperation.

1.13.3    Education Exchange Programmes

Central Asia Countries are good choices for education which was a popular choice during the Soviet’s time. Bangladesh also has good opportunities for education at a comparatively cheaper expense. Universities and other educational institutions may have exchange programs.

1.13.4    Pharmaceuticals Joint Venture

Bangladesh is emerging in the pharmaceutical sector for which energy is an important need. Collaboration may take in this sector. 1.13.5     Trade and Commerce and Agriculture exchange. The regions are dependent on agriculture. Bangladesh scientists have proved to be very innovative and effective in producing different variants of important crops. This is also true for Central Asia like for cotton.

1.13.6    Good quality cotton from Central Asia may enhance the Garments Industry of Bangladesh.

1.13.7    Bangladesh may invest in Readymade Garment (RMG) in Central Asia. Taking the opportunity of sufficient energy, the RMG may be expanded to Central Asia.

1.13.8    South Asian Countries; Bangladesh may export water to Central Asia. Central Asia is comparatively a try region. Moreover, some countries like Uzbekistan are double landlocked and few are landlocked. Bangladesh may export processed water for drinking and other purposes.

1.13.9    Cultural Exchange Program between the countries will enhance the bonding. To establish the friendship and cultural linkage, cultural exchanges may be planned which will facilitate people-to-people contact.

1.13.10 Voice for Rohingya Repatriation to Myanmar with Sustainable Security and Human Rights for Regional Stability. Bangladesh should encourage the population of Central Asia to actively raise their voice for the Rohingya people and their safe repatriation to Myanmar.

1.14 Miscellaneous Points to Ponder for Mutual Benefits

•             Countries agree to openness and inclusiveness and support the essence of the corporation. This is how only by sharing, caring, and collaboration they are to create a powerful synergy for connectivity.

•             Not playing geopolitical games in the name of connectivity and is willing to follow the principles of extensive friendly discourse, joint involvement, and complementary benefits to create a bright future and development.

•             Hardware and software development in promoting infrastructure connectivity should remain the cornerstone for cooperation.

•             All states should pursue ‘hard connectivity’ and ‘soft connectivity’ in parallel, and build an all-dimensional, multifaceted, and sustainable connectivity network.

•             Respecting each other’s sensitivity.

1.15 Conclusions

To conclude it reiterates the need for regional and extra-regional cooperation to survive the wild card scenario in the World. We strongly believe that Animosity pays nothing and friendship costs nothing, but a smile brings in a host of opportunities. The new era of friendship in the context of newly emerged Bangladesh and the Uzbekistan Government will role forward. Bangladesh now look forward and seek new association and regional cooperation for human security which are mainly based on ‘Three Zeros’. Regional cooperation will matter most than any time in the past. Cooperation between South and Central Asia in undoubtedly make it more fruitful and accomplishing.