50 years of Germany-Bangladesh relations

February 4, 2022, marked the 50th anniversary of Germany-Bangladesh bilateral relations. For the last 50 years, the two countries have maintained sound diplomatic relations with few significant disputes.

Bangladesh is currently in a transition phase from Least Developed Country (LDC) to Developing Country (DC), while Germany is performing a leadership role in the European Union. Over the decades, the two countries have bolstered their relations in various aspects, including political, economic, and cultural exchanges.

At this auspicious moment, assessing the events of the past 50 years suggests that they can advance ties to new heights by addressing mutual interests.

Early recognition

Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign state on December 16, 1971. West Germany was the first European country to recognize Bangladesh, in 1972. West Germany then started to expand its cooperation with Bangladesh, starting with the adoption of “war babies” by many German families.

The relationship further cemented when West German chancellor Willy Brandt and his government played an instrumental role in brokering peace between Bangladesh and Pakistan in a dispute over prisoners of war. In later years, both countries established embassies in their respective counterparts.

As the relationship advanced, high-level visits took place between the countries, starting with a nine-member German parliamentary delegation visiting Bangladesh in February 2004. In 2011, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid a visit to Germany. In the same year, then-German president Christian Wulff also visited Bangladesh.

Even after the Rohingya refugee crisis, Germany supported Bangladesh politically and financially to maintain the refugee camps.

Burgeoning trade

The growing relationship resulted in growing bilateral trade also. In 2018, bilateral trade was worth about €6.6 billion (US$7.56 billion). Bangladesh exports textile products, frozen goods, and leather products to Germany, while Germany exports machinery, chemicals, and electrical goods to Bangladesh.

It is worth mentioning that Germany is one of the largest textile export destinations for Bangladesh, and 90% of Bangladesh’s total export to Germany is textile products.

Apart from commercial relations, the two countries also conduct development cooperation. Between 1972 and 2020, Germany provided €3.03 billion as a part of a financial and technical cooperation commitment.

The priorities of German development cooperation with Bangladesh include climate and energy, good governance, displacement and migration, vocational skill development, sustainable supply chains, and humanitarian assistance to Rohingya camps.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Germany provided €340 million to Bangladesh for development projects including in energy, urban development, good governance, displacement, and training. Apart from that, as a part of Covid aid, Germany donated 8 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Bangladesh.

Cultural exchanges

The two countries have also secured a trajectory for growing people-to-people connections over the years. In the Global Soft Power Index 2021, Germany has secured the top position. And evidence of this achievement is visible in Bangladesh.

German non-governmental organizations including Friedrich Naumann and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) are working in Bangladesh, with visible impacts.

Apart from NGO activities, as the cross-culture connection increases, German culture and language have gradually become popular in Bangladesh. The Goethe Institute and German language departments in public universities have facilitated that path. German philosophies, literature, sports, and music are also becoming popular among the youth of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s culture is also finding its way into Germany. The famous German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) now hosts programs in Bengali. Over the past decade, it has also dedicated many of its programs in the Bengali language. DW also covers news in Bengali.

The Bangladeshi diaspora community is also growing in Germany. According to an unofficial source, 20,000 Bangladeshi citizens are living in Germany. These Bangladeshi nationals contribute to Germany’s economy and send back remittances to their home country.

One of the significant aspects of cross-cultural relations between Germany and Bangladesh is growing academic relations. Germany has announced many scholarships, including DAAD, for aspiring Bangladeshi students. Every year, many Bangladeshi students go to Germany after securing these scholarships and availing themselves of the tuition-free German university system, resulting in know-how exchange and cross-culture experience.

All in all, it seems that for Germany-Bangladesh bilateral relations, the potential is vast, and there are hardly any significant challenges apart from the current student-visa problem and illegal-immigrant problem.

Because of Covid-19, aspiring Bangladeshi students are currently facing visa problems at the German Embassy in Dhaka, which should be solved as soon as possible. Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen recently urged resolution of this issue at a meeting with German Ambassador Achim Tröster. Meanwhile in Germany, illegal migration from Bangladesh has become an issue.

Both countries should make extra efforts to address these temporary and easily solvable concerns.

In conclusion, an assessment of 50 years of bilateral relations suggests that both countries are on the right track to achieve their national objectives. It is hoped that both countries will understand their mutual interests and undertake initiatives to take bilateral ties to new heights in celebration of this auspicious milestone.

* The article was published on Asia Times