Ambassador Daud Ali Brought Back to Dhaka Ahead of PM's Japan Visit, Sources Point to Tokyo's Objection Over China-Related Paragraph

Bangladesh's ambassador to Japan, Md Daud Ali, has been brought back to Dhaka just ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's upcoming visit to Japan. According to informed sources, the decision was taken keeping in mind Japan's objection over a sensitive issue.

The incident is being described as unprecedented. Such an event is rare not only in the country but also in the history of global diplomacy. When a prime minister visits another country, the ambassador posted in that country usually handles the visit's preparation and diplomatic coordination. But this Japan visit is an exception.

Ambassador Daud Ali will not be in Tokyo during the Prime Minister's visit. Not only that, sources say he has also been kept away from the work of preparing and coordinating the visit.

Diplomatic sources claim the unease began last June during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's China visit. Japan's objection reportedly centres on a paragraph included in the two countries' joint statement during that visit.

According to the sources, Tokyo considers the paragraph's remarks — about the international order established after the Second World War and the outcome of the war — sensitive for itself. The joint statement also reportedly contained sensitive remarks opposing the revival of fascism and militarism.

Diplomatic sources further claim that Japan considers Daud Ali a China expert. They believe Daud Ali had a role in the inclusion of that sensitive paragraph in the China-Bangladesh joint statement last June.

Sources say it was under the impact of the unease created over this that the decision was taken to bring the ambassador back to Dhaka before the Prime Minister's Japan visit. In other words, a complication surrounding a paragraph in a joint statement with a third country has now cast a shadow over the preparations for the Japan visit.

The Prime Minister's Japan visit is an important diplomatic and economic engagement for Bangladesh. The absence of its own ambassador in the host country on the eve of such a visit has naturally given rise to discussion in diplomatic circles.

The timing of the visit is also important behind the matter making newspaper headlines. As the visit draws closer, speculation over the reasons for bringing the ambassador back is growing, and this source-based explanation has added a new dimension to that discussion.

Observers believe the sensitivity of the triangular equation involving China, Japan and Bangladesh is also at work behind the incident. The episode indicates how the language of one joint statement can affect the calculations of relations with another country.

However, no detailed official explanation on the matter has come forward yet. There can be a difference between the claims of sources and the official statement, so the picture will become clearer once a clear position comes from the government.

For now, preparations for the Prime Minister's Japan visit are proceeding without Ambassador Daud Ali. All eyes are now on how the visit is completed and what official explanation comes regarding this unprecedented decision.