Ziaur Rahman, a significant figure in Bangladesh’s history, made substantial contributions to the country’s economic and foreign policy development during his presidency from 1977 to 1981.
Economic Achievements:
- Founding the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): As president, Ziaur Rahman founded the BNP in 1978, reinstating multi-party politics, freedom of the press, speech, and markets. He initiated mass irrigation, food production programmes, and social programmes to uplift the lives of the people.
- Economic Reforms: Ziaur Rahman introduced a “19-point programme” of economic emancipation focusing on self-reliance, rural development, decentralization, free markets, and population control. He launched an ambitious rural development programme in 1977, including a popular food-for-work programme, and promoted private sector development and exports growth. He also reversed collectivisation of farms and launched major projects like irrigation canals, power stations, dams, roads, and other public works.
Foreign Policy Achievements:
- Reorienting Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy: Ziaur Rahman reoriented Bangladesh’s foreign policy, moving away from India and the Soviet bloc towards closer relations with the United States, Western Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He harmonized ties with Saudi Arabia and China, and normalised relations with Pakistan, improving Bangladesh’s standing in the Middle East and opening avenues for manpower exports.
- Proposal for Regional Cooperation: He proposed an organization of South Asian nations to bolster economic and political cooperation at a regional level. This proposal eventually led to the formation of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985, for which he received a posthumous award.
- Diplomatic Relations: Ziaur Rahman fostered good relations with western countries and Muslim nations, and his policy to distance Bangladesh from the pro-Soviet bloc resulted in excellent relations with the United States and Great Britain. He played a role in stopping the war between Iraq and Iran, earning appreciation from the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). His efforts also led to Bangladesh’s election to the Security Council as a non-permanent member in 1978, defeating Japan.
- Improving Relations with India: Despite initial tensions, Ziaur Rahman improved relations with India, especially after Morarji Desai’s government came to power in India in 1977. He successfully negotiated the sharing of the Ganges waters at Farakka, signing a five-year agreement in December 1977.
Additional Information:
Ziaur Rahman came to political prominence following the August 1975 military coup and promised reform and a return to democratic elections. Despite facing an attempted coup in November 1977, he managed to hold Bangladesh’s first elections under universal suffrage eight months later.
In summary, Ziaur Rahman’s tenure as president of Bangladesh was marked by significant achievements in both economic and foreign policy. His initiatives in economic reforms, rural development, and foreign policy reorientation contributed to Bangladesh’s development and enhanced its standing in the international community
