Abstract:
The thesis intends to understand the nature and extent of Bangladesh-Myanmar
bilateral relations focusing on the strategic importance of the countries. Both
Bangladesh and Myanmar are close neighbors having geographical proximity,
historical legacy, commercial and cultural ties. In terms of geo-strategic, political
and economic point of view, the countries are significant to each other. But the
bilateral relationship of the countries is not meaningful as bordering neighbors.
Furthermore, it has been complicated day by day due regarding some factors that are
delineated in the study. In this connection, the research attempts to examine the
nature and extent of Bangladesh-Myanmar bilateral relations along with exploring
the strategic significance of the countries. The study is qualitative in nature based on
analytical and narrative methods. It assembles data from both primary and secondary
sources. The study takes realism as a theoretical tool of the study. The major
findings of the study illustrate that Bangladesh-Myanmar political relations could
not reach at satisfactory level. The bilateral relationship of the countries has passed
through ups and down that is termed as cooperative and conflictive. The study also
reveals that both the countries are significant to each other in terms of strategic
perspective albeit the countries have failed to grab the strategic opportunities. The
study suggests that to strengthen the bilateral relation both the countries should
reciprocate in the same way through operative diplomatic ties and intensive
cooperation. Additionally, the research recommends that both the countries should
venture the geo-strategic opportunities through enhancing connectivity, trade and
investment following India and China. The study is very significant in the academic
and policy area. The academicians and the policy makers can have valuable insights
from the thesis to revisit their course of action and policy regarding Bangladesh-
Myanmar relationship.
