Saint Martin Island: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the US is behind spreading unrest in the country to remove her from power. When she did not listen to the US, it devised a strategy to oust her from power. For this, it conspired with the fundamentalist forces of the country. She said these things in an interview to The Economic Times newspaper. Hasina alleged that if she had offered to give up the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island to the US, she could have remained in power. Then the question arises that what is this Saint Martin Island?
Saint Martin Island is a small island located in the north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal. Its area is only three square kilometers, and it is located about 9 kilometers south of the Cox’s Bazar-Tankarf Peninsula. It is also known as Narikel Jinjira (Coconut Island) or Daruchini Dweep (Cinnamon Island) in Bangladesh. It is the only coral island in Bangladesh and is famous for its spectacular natural beauty, such as blue waters and diverse marine life, such as corals. The island is a popular tourist destination, especially in winter. The people living on this island depend mainly on fishing, rice-coconut cultivation and tourism. The population here is around 5,000.
Dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar
There was a dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar over sovereignty over this island, which was related to the demarcation of their maritime boundaries. There has been a conflict between the two countries over fishing rights in this area. In 2012, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea established Bangladesh’s right over this island in its decision.
The China Angle
After Sheikh Hasina’s allegations, the matter seems to be moving towards China. China is building several military bases and economic trade corridors under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to control Indian influence in the Indian Ocean region. Bangladesh is China’s partner in the BRI. At the same time, India criticizes the BRI because the project passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region has worried the US. For this reason, it sees India as an important strategic partner under its Indo-Pacific strategy. Both countries have taken steps like Quad and Malabar naval exercises in response to China’s growing power.
Sheikh Hasina said that if the island of St. Martin had gone under the control of America, it would have got a place in the Bay of Bengal. Along with this, she warned the people of Bangladesh not to get misled by the fundamentalists.
Tags: Bangladesh news, sheikh hasina
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 11, 2024, 15:52 IST
