Bangladesh-Myanmar bilateral relations and regional implications

Abstract

Bangladesh-Myanmar bilateral relations have a great significance in our foreign policy. Myanmar is the next door neighbour of our country. Bangladesh shares land border, maritime boundary, river, political and economic issues, and many other things (such as culture, religion etc.) with Myanmar. The geo-strategic location of Bangladesh and Myanmar signify that without establishing strong bilateral relations both countries will suffer in many ways. National interests will also be hampered. It is reminded that we can change our friend but we cannot change our neighbour. Both Bangladesh and Myanmar need to solve bilateral problems (such as Rohingya refugee issue, land border management, illegal trade and trafficking, small arms and drug supply etc.). Recently Myanmar opens up its door to international community. At present, High Officials have visited Myanmar for this purpose. Eastern and Western countries are showing their interest to Myanmar. It is the greatest changes of Myanmar foreign policy. Bangladesh should take this opportunity. In foreign policy, national interests are the key points which drive other forces for achieving goals. And thus security issues (Land border security, maritime security, economic security etc.) become high lights in foreign policy. In this study, realist approach is applied to conceptualize Bangladesh-Myanmar relations on the basis of national interest and national security perspective. I have tried to find out the current nature and magnitude of Bangladesh-Myanmar bilateral relations in terms of Myanmar’s recent political and economic reforms for democratization. I have also tried to find out the key players and issues which are responsible for hampering Bangladesh-Myanmar bilateral relations. It is a matter of regret that Myanmar is our far near neighbour. Lack of connectivity (people to people, state to state, Government to Government, road link, air and rail way etc.), lack of knowledge about Myanmar, misunderstanding and mistrust, information gap, long time military rule and restrictions in Myanmar are the main obstacles to establish a cooperative and strong bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Now Bangladesh needs to take Myanmar as a country full of potentials. Therefore, it is our national interest to establish strong friendship with Myanmarbased on diplomatic, strategic, economic and social considerations.