St. Martin’s Island, a mere three-square-kilometer stretch of land nestled in the northeastern corner of the Bay of Bengal, has unexpectedly become a pivotal point in Bangladesh’s ongoing political upheaval. This tiny coral island, home to approximately 3,700 residents primarily engaged in fishing and farming, has caught the eye of major global powers, particularly the United States, due to its strategic location near Myanmar and proximity to vital maritime routes.
Recent claims by Sheikh Hasina, the recently ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, regarding US interest in St. Martin’s Island have further fueled the political firestorm. In a message to her supporters, Hasina alleged, “I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of St. Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal.” This isn’t the first time Hasina has hinted at US interest in the island. Earlier this year, she claimed that “a white man” had offered her a smooth return to power in exchange for an airbase on St. Martin’s Island.
However, Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, vehemently refuted these claims, dismissing a newspaper report detailing his mother’s resignation statement as completely false and fabricated. Despite these denials, the US State Department categorically refuted any such discussions, with spokesperson Matthew Miller stating, “We have never engaged in any conversations about taking over St. Martin’s Island.”
St. Martin’s Island, also known as Narikel Jinjira or Coconut Island, has a history stretching back to the 18th century when it was first settled by Arabian merchants who named it ‘Jazira.’ The island was later incorporated into British India in 1900 and renamed after a Christian priest, Saint Martin. Following the Partition of 1947, the island became part of Pakistan, eventually becoming part of Bangladesh after the Liberation War of 1971. The island’s status as Bangladeshi territory was solidified by a 1974 agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar and subsequently affirmed by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in 2012, which recognized Bangladesh’s sovereignty over the island.
St. Martin’s Island holds significant strategic military value due to its proximity to the Strait of Malacca, one of the busiest maritime trade routes globally. A military base on the island would grant unparalleled oversight of the Bay of Bengal for any country, allowing for surveillance of Chinese investments and activities in the region around the Strait of Malacca. The island’s location also facilitates the potential monitoring of trade and military activities in the region, making it a highly coveted asset for global powers like the United States.
Beyond its strategic military value, St. Martin’s Island is also a vital economic and environmental asset for Bangladesh. The island falls within Bangladesh’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), granting access to valuable marine resources such as fish, oil, and gas. The island’s unique ecosystem, including its coral reefs and diverse marine life, highlights the need for conservation efforts. Additionally, the island is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its pristine beaches and cultural heritage.
The island’s proximity to Myanmar has also made it a point of contention in maritime boundary disputes. Despite the 2012 ITLOS ruling, Bangladeshi fishermen have faced detentions and warnings from Myanmar’s naval forces while operating near the island. The Rohingya crisis has further complicated the situation, with over 700,000 Rohingya refugees fleeing to Bangladesh in 2017 following a violent crackdown by Myanmar. The influx of refugees has raised concerns about the island’s security, particularly with reports suggesting that members of the Arakan Army, a Myanmar-based insurgent group, are attempting to stake a claim on the island.
The United States’ interest in St. Martin’s Island is perceived by some as part of a broader strategy to counter China’s influence in South Asia. The US has reportedly suggested that Bangladesh join the Quad alliance, and unconfirmed reports have emerged suggesting that Washington proposed leasing the island for a military base. However, these claims have been met with skepticism, with the US State Department repeatedly denying any intentions to acquire the island. “We value our partnership with Bangladesh,” Miller emphasized, adding that the US remains committed to supporting democracy and free elections in the country.
The potential US acquisition of St. Martin’s Island has also sparked concerns among Bangladesh’s neighbors, particularly India and China. A US military presence on the island could serve as a check on Chinese ambitions in the region, especially given China’s ongoing investments in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through Bangladesh and Myanmar. Conversely, the island’s strategic location could also be used to monitor and potentially disrupt Indian shipping in the Bay of Bengal. While the United States has denied any plans to acquire the island, the geopolitical significance of St. Martin’s cannot be understated.
