Dhaka

Bane of Bengal

After the resignation and exile of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, St Martin’s Island of Bangladesh has been in the spotlight.

By Atif Shamim Syed | November 2024


Following the downfall and ensuing exile of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, certain reports have emerged in Indian media alluding to foreign involvement in her ouster. Though still unfounded, these claims are linked to a speech attributed to Hasina and printed by several media outlets. Sheikh Hasina was allegedly planning to deliver this speech to the nation before hastily tendering resignation and fleeing to Agartala in India in a military helicopter.

Since her departure, the significance of this undelivered speech has increased considerably. Through this speech, Sheikh Hasina planned to reveal that the U.S. was pressuring her into handing over control of St. Martin’s Island to the Pentagon. Sheikh Hasina claims that had she caved into the American demand, she would still be in power. Hasina’s son Sajeeb denies the existence of such a speech. However, his mother’s previous public remarks regarding the tiny island are on record.

Sheikh Hasina has recently levelled several other accusations against the US, blaming the latter for orchestrating her political demise.

“I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal. I beseech to the people of my land, please do not be manipulated by radicals,” the former premier was reportedly prepared to say in her unreleased speech.

Her son, Sajeed, dismissed the Indian media report. However, he did blame ‘foreign elements’ for the fall of the Awami League government in August. Sajeed stated that student protests were initiated, executed, and controlled by forces outside of Bangladesh. He did not name a country or provide any evidence supporting his argument.

Washington’s alleged interest in St. Martin’s came to light in 2023 due to a rumour that the U.S. offered Hasina absolute support in the 2024 elections in exchange for the Island. Though the White House categorically denied the news, the strategic importance of St. Martin’s remains undeniable.

St. Martin’s Island is a small island in the Bay of Bengal. Situated to the south of Bangladesh, it is also close to Myanmar. The Bay of Bengal has recently gained immense significance owing to its geographical location, which is most suitable for monitoring Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean.
China is steadily increasing its investments in countries around the Bay of Bengal to establish a permanent presence in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing is also providing valuable assistance to Bangladesh in building a submarine base near Cox’s Bazar, only 9 kilometres from St. Martin’s Island. Similar investments in neighbouring Myanmar point towards China’s growing regional influence – a development least favoured by the US.

In this context, Hasina’s comment would make sense, but Washington has never—at least publicly—shown any intention of gaining access to the island.

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