The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the political geography of the country, which is situated between 'rapidly progressing' India and China, gave it an opportunity for development.
Asking Bangladesh to exploit its "strategic location", US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today said the political geography of the country, which is situated between "rapidly progressing" India and China, gave it an opportunity for development.
"China is surely the most developed developing country (and) India also is rapidly progressing ... you are strategically situated between China and India," she said at a dialogue with Bangladeshi youths before wrapping up her two-day Dhaka visit.
Clinton appreciated Bangladesh the way it handled the maritime issue with Myanmar and for its handling of bilateral issues with India, saying "it is very smart" and exactly the way the issues should be dealt with.
She also suggested that Dhaka exploit its economic opportunities in Myanmar, saying "the transition in Burma after 40 years of military rule is an opportunity for you".
With its powerful political parties, Bangladesh was in "right path" of democracy, while stronger demands by people could keep it on the right track, the top US diplomat said.
"You are in democratic route, though (it is) messy but democratic process could be messy. You have strong political parties," she said.
She said the people of the country being backed by stronger civil societies, should wage a greater campaign to ensure the political parties deliver the right things as abuse of power was the biggest problems in developing countries.
"Every (political) leader has to be asked are you in politics for yourself or for the people? ... this should not be asked by journalists (alone) but by millions of people."
Bangladesh witnessed the return of democracy after two years of military backed interim government in 2008. It is now experiencing political tensions over electoral system.
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