Dhaka offers Male its consular services

Dhaka offers Male its consular services
Maldives seeks Bangladesh help
to resolve its political impasse

wrote on 20-9-10
for the Independent

Anis Alamgir
Bangladesh is likely to engage further with another South Asian nation- the Maldives by enhancing its political and diplomatic ties with the Indian Ocean Island neighbour.
Apart from the south Asian identity, both the countries share close ties for their Muslim majority and climate vulnerability. A large number of Bangladeshis are also working in different sectors in the Island nation, mainly in fishing and tourism sectors.
On climate issue, both the countries are working together for their survival at different international conferences, being vocal on the issue.
However, in a recent development, Bangladesh thought that it could play a role of an 'Independent broker' in the Maldives to mediate in helping to resolve the differences among the political parties in the tiny island.
The Maldivian Parliament, or Majlis, consists of 77 MPs, of whom about 43 are from parties opposed to President Mohamed Nasheed.
Few months back the entire Cabinet of Maldives resigned following differences with the President Nasheed. Later he appointed 13 ministers in the wake of mediation efforts orchestrated by close neighbour, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. But the crisis has not yet been resolved.
A top diplomat of Maldives met his Bangladeshi counterpart in Dhaka last month seeking Bangladesh assistance as an international mediator to help resolve the present political stalemate in his country. The Bangladeshi diplomat requested to talk to all political parties in the Island with whom he has confidence and access.
A number of Bangladeshi diplomats had a great access in Maldives government, as well as political players for their long association with the country.
Present Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes is also considered a 'close friend' of Maldives in his own capacity. He was Bangladesh High Commissioner to Maldives in the recent past and had been in touch with the Maldivian diplomats in Geneva and other stations.
On the other hand, Bangladesh is also interested to extend it diplomatic service, rendering assistance/outlet for the Maldives in some of Bangladesh Missions abroad, for instance, in a place like Moscow to arrange the negotiations.
presently Maldives has only 13 missions abroad- London, Beijing, Tokyo, Riyadh, New Delhi, Islamabad, Dhaka, Colombo, Brussels, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and its permanent missions in New York and Geneva. On the other hand Bangladesh has 58 missions abroad covering all important capitals.
Foreign ministry sources said, Foreign Secretary himself has been drafting a concept paper on how to proceed towards the unique diplomatic assistance role of Bangladesh in Maldives.
The end