St Martin’s Island: Sheikh Hasina’s Controversial Claim

St Martin’s Island: The Controversy Surrounding Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster

St Martin’s Island, a small coral island in Bangladesh, has become the center of a heated controversy following allegations made by Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In an undelivered speech, she claimed that the United States played a role in her ouster from power because she refused to hand over St Martin’s Island. This claim has raised questions about the island’s significance and the geopolitical interests surrounding it.

Where is St Martin’s Island Located?

St Martin’s Island is situated in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, approximately nine kilometers south of Bangladesh’s southernmost peninsula, Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf, near the border with Myanmar. The island, known for its unique coral ecosystem, covers a surface area of just three square kilometers and is home to around 3,700 residents who mainly rely on fishing, rice cultivation, coconut farming, and seaweed harvesting.

The Controversy and Allegations

Sheikh Hasina’s undelivered speech, which has recently come to light, revealed her belief that her government could have remained in power if she had agreed to cede control of St Martin’s Island to the United States. This allegation suggests that the island holds significant strategic value, possibly due to its location and proximity to Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal.

However, the United States has strongly denied these claims. The US State Department emphasized its commitment to respecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty and denied any discussions about taking over St Martin’s Island.

History of St Martin’s Island

St Martin’s Island, also known as ‘Narikel Jinjira’ (Coconut Island) or ‘Daruchini Dwip’ (Cinnamon Island), has a rich history dating back to the eighteenth century. Arabian merchants were the first settlers on the island, which was later included as part of British India in 1900. The island remained under British control until the Partition of 1947, after which it became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh following the Liberation War of 1971.

In 1974, Bangladesh and Myanmar reached an agreement recognizing St Martin’s Island as part of Bangladeshi territory. However, disputes over the maritime boundary and fishing rights have led to tensions between the two nations.

Maritime Boundary Issues with Myanmar

Despite the 1974 agreement, issues over the delimitation of the maritime boundary surrounding St Martin’s Island have persisted. Bangladeshi fishermen often face detentions and warnings from Myanmar’s naval forces, leading to heightened tensions in the region. In 2012, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) affirmed Bangladesh’s sovereignty over the island, securing its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Rohingya Influx and Geopolitical Significance

The island’s proximity to Cox’s Bazar, which hosts the world’s largest refugee camp for Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Myanmar, has further complicated the geopolitical landscape. Reports suggest that members of the Arakan Army, a banned militant group in Myanmar, may be attempting to stake a claim to the island, though Bangladesh has denied these allegations.

St Martin’s Island has also drawn international interest, particularly from the US and China, due to its strategic location near the Bay of Bengal. Sheikh Hasina’s allegations about the US attempting to acquire the island have sparked debates about the island’s importance in regional power dynamics.

St Martin’s Island, though small in size, plays a significant role in the geopolitics of South Asia. Sheikh Hasina’s allegations have brought the island into the spotlight, highlighting its strategic importance and the complex relationships between Bangladesh, the US, and China. As tensions continue to simmer, the island’s future remains a topic of intense discussion.