National interests drive Bangladesh’s foreign policy: minister
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, now in Washington, has explained Bangladesh’s engagements with India and China noting that Bangladesh’s foreign policy, like the United States one, is all about national interests. He also shared historical background shedding light on the two different roles that India and China played during the War of Liberation in 1971. The foreign minister answered a number of questions at a programme titled ‘A conversation with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister’ on the lessons learned from the last 50 years and the path ahead for US-Bangladesh relations hosted by United States Institute of Peace on Tuesday. President and CEO of the USIP Lise Grande delivered opening remarks at the event moderated by Ambassador Teresita Schaffer. As the Biden administration implements its Indo-Pacific strategy, Bangladesh’s relationships with neighbouring India and China suggest that it will draw increasing interest from US policymakers, according to USIP. ‘We’ve rock-solid relations with India,’ Momen said, adding that Bangladesh can never forget the support of India and its people during the 1971 War of Liberation. He, however, said Bangladesh needs more resources to develop the country further while India does not have that much resource to share. ‘We need to help develop our economy and they (China) have a basket of money. China came with a basket of money with affordable and aggressive proposals,’ Momen said, claiming that Bangladesh is very prudent in receiving credit and China is helping Bangladesh in building some mega projects. The FM said even India borrows from China though they do not have good relations. ‘This is a very strange world.’
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.