St. Martin’s Island dispute

Reference

It is being claimed that America may have played a role behind the resignation of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to media reports, if Sheikh Hasina had handed over the sovereignty of St. Martin Island in the Bay of Bengal to America and allowed it to build a base in the Bay of Bengal, she could have remained in power.

About St. Martin’s Island

• Introduction: St. Martin's Island is the only coral reef island of Bangladesh. It is popularly called 'Narikel Zinjira' in Bengali, which means 'Coconut Island' in Hindi.
  • It is also known as 'Daruchini Island' or Cinnamon Island.
• Location: Located in the north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal, this island is a small island spread over an area of ​​only 3 km square. It is located about 9 km south of the tip of Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Peninsula of Bangladesh and 8 km west of the north-western coast of Myanmar. It is located 429 km from Agartala, the capital of Tripura.
• Utility: It is a favourite destination for tourists and an important resource for the local community.
• Economy of the Island: It depends mainly on fishing, rice and coconut cultivation, and tourism, which provide livelihood to its approximately 5,500 inhabitants.
• Maritime Boundaries: The island is at the centre of maritime boundary disputes, which have implications for the demarcation of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and continental shelves.
• International law: Incidents involving Myanmar naval forces raise questions about compliance with international maritime law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• Sea route: From this island one can reach any part of the world through sea route.

Significance for Bangladesh

• Strategic Location: St. Martin's Island is located in the Bay of Bengal near the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime border. It is the southernmost point of Bangladesh. It plays an important role in asserting Bangladesh's maritime claims regarding its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Economic Potential: The waters surrounding St. Martin's Island are rich in marine resources, including fish and potentially hydrocarbons. The island also has immense tourism potential. It attracts domestic and international tourists, contributing to the local economy.
• Environmental significance: The island is an ecologically sensitive area, home to a variety of marine life including coral reefs, sea turtles and various fish species. Its environmental conservation is important for biodiversity conservation and maintaining the natural resources of the island.

Significance to the United States

• Geopolitical Interests: The island of St. Martin is a geopolitically important region due to its strategic location in the Bay of Bengal and its proximity to major sea routes, the Andaman Sea and the Strait of Malacca.
  • The US argues that it is keen to ensure freedom of navigation in the region and secure sea routes, which are vital to global trade.
• Regional Security: The US has an interest in maintaining stability in South Asia, particularly the Bay of Bengal, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. The island of St. Martin plays a key role in regional security dynamics by virtue of its location.
  • This role is particularly important with regard to China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean.
• Environmental concerns: The US has a vested interest in global environmental protection, particularly in protecting marine ecosystems. The coral reefs and marine life of the island of St. Martin are of international environmental interest and the US could support initiatives aimed at preserving these ecosystems.

Reason for US influence on Saint Martin’s Island

• The US wants to establish a military base on it. For this, the US is reportedly continuously trying to acquire the island of Saint Martin.
  • However, the US has been denying taking control of the island of Saint Martin or establishing a military base there.
• The potential military base could pose a direct threat to Bangladesh's sovereignty and strategic interests. This could also increase regional tensions, especially with neighboring India.

Impact on India

• If this island is controlled by any power other than Bangladesh (like America or China) then it will work as a check post for India. From this, the entire Bay of Bengal and the surrounding sea area can be monitored.
• This can also affect the trade from the eastern coast of India. Along with this, India's military operations and military activities will also be affected.
• The influence of America or China on this island can be a setback to India's efforts of regional integration. Apart from this, it can also be used to balance and control India in any strategic matter.
• This island can also be used to influence India's northeastern border areas. Entry of other countries can reduce India's dominance in the Bay of Bengal.
• India's military and space activities can also be monitored from St. Martin Island.

India's role and response

• Regional cooperation: In the current situation, there is a need to increase regional cooperation among the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries.
• International mediation: International organizations like ASEAN or the United Nations can play a role in mediating disputes and preventing disputes from escalating.
• Diplomatic Efforts: India's diplomatic efforts in the Indian Ocean, including the island countries, are aimed at maintaining regional stability and security.
• Economic Assistance: India's provision of economic assistance and medical aid to the countries of the Indian Ocean region reflects its commitment to be a responsible regional power.