As per reports, Bangladesh has sealed a significant deal with France, involving the purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft valued at $3.2 billion. During talks held between French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a letter of intent was also exchanged for the acquisition of an earth observation satellite system, signifying a significant step to bolster bilateral relations.

Emmanuel Macron's visit to Dhaka marks a historic occasion, being the first by a French president in 33 years. This visit is widely interpreted as part of Paris's strategy to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, effectively countering what is perceived as a "new imperialism" in this part of Asia, characterized by China's steadily expanding influence.

“Based on democratic principles and the rule of law, in a region facing new imperialism, we want to propose a third way — with no intention to bully our partners or to lead them to an unsustainable scheme,” Macron told Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a veiled reference to China.

“All our strategy is focused on strengthening the independence and the strategic autonomy of our friends to give them the ‘freedom of sovereignty’,” he said.

According to reports, French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in discussions with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday, focusing on a potential commitment from Bangladesh's flagship carrier, Biman Airline, to purchase ten Airbus A350 aircraft from the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. This prospective contract could be valued at approximately $3.2 billion.

Biman Airline had previously procured aircraft from the U.S. manufacturer Boeing, and it currently maintains a fleet of more than 20 predominantly Boeing planes despite being a 51-year-old state-run airline.

Macron, speaking to reporters, emphasized the significance of Bangladesh's decision to consider Airbus for its fleet, stating that it represented "an important point" and expressing gratitude for Bangladesh's trust in the European aerospace industry. He made these remarks following a meeting with the Bangladesh premier.

A French diplomat recently underscored that, given France's population of 60 million, it could not directly compete with China. However, as an ally of the United States, France aims to assist countries in the region in diversifying their alliances, reducing over-reliance on a single country.

In addition to the aircraft discussions, a letter of intent was signed to facilitate the provision of an earth observation satellite system to Bangladesh through cooperation between Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) and Airbus Defense and Space SAS.

Officials in Dhaka indicated that they were still finalizing the details of the agreement, while Bangladesh's Economic Relations Division signed the agreement with the French Development Agency.

Bangladesh previously acquired its first geostationary communications and broadcasting satellite, named Bangabandhu Satellite-1, and launched it from France in 2018.

Foreign relations analysts have noted that Macron's two-day visit to Dhaka aligns with France's strategy to strengthen ties with Bangladesh, particularly at a time when global superpowers like China, Russia, and the United States are vying for influence in the region.

Macron's visit follows his Pacific trip in July, where he outlined his "Indo-Pacific strategy" and reaffirmed France's commitment to the region. France stands as Bangladesh's fifth-largest trading partner, with active engagements in engineering, energy, aerospace, and water sectors.

The growth of bilateral trade ties commenced in the early 1990s, with the total trade volume between Bangladesh and France skyrocketing from Euro 210 million to Euro 4.9 billion, positioning France as Bangladesh's fifth-largest export destination.

Image source: HT