Strengthening South Asian Ties: Japan’s Strategic Move Through Bangladesh’s Matarbari Deep Seaport

Abstract

The Matarbari Deep Sea Port (DSP) project has strategic importance in the connectivity between the economies of Bangladesh, India, and Japan. These economies are of strategic importance regarding regional stability; hence, these countries are eager to increase their role in the multilateral dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. This qualitative study will discuss how better connectivity via Matarbari DSP facilitates Japan in increasing its influence in South Asia. Japan has invested a large amount of capital and technical expertise in proving its interests in regional development and the promotion of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. The study’s results indicate that involvement by Japan will provide much-needed economic prosperity not only for India’s North Eastern Region but for Bangladesh as well. At the same time, the developing deep-sea port will serve to aid both India and Japan in an attempt to balance China’s emerging influence in Bangladesh. The port is foreseen to optimize the supply chains for Bangladesh, reduce the logistical costs, and develop trade capabilities. Overall, the study concludes that the Matarbari port will facilitate the creation of an industrial value chain and allow speedy and less expensive transportation of goods. It could trigger economic growth in many sectors of the economy.