(Commentary) Modern relations between Bangladesh and Burma began on January 13, 1972, when Bangladesh was recognized by Burma as a sovereign state. However, relations between the two countries have never been smooth, and have undergone frequent ups and downs over the last forty years on several issues.
After being closed to the outside world for more than fifty years, at present, Burma is showing a few signs of working to develop effective bilateral relations with Bangladesh. Burma looks down on Bangladesh's geographical vulnerability as a small and poor country. Therefore, Burma has not been willing to solve the disputes between the two countries, more inclined towards dealing with India and China. As such, Bangladesh has been discouraged and lost interest in finding a path to bring Burma to the negotiation table for developing meaningful relations. On the contrary, India and China have taken full advantage of Burma’s isolation and developed a deep relationship with Burma.
Besides, the problems Bangladesh has faced because of Burma – an influx of Rohingya refugees, disputes over land and maritime boundaries, illegal drug trafficking, and alleged cross border movement of insurgents – has dominated the countries’ relations. The relationship deteriorated severely in 1991 when Burma’s military launched a surprise attack on the Bangladesh Rifle's (BDR) border outpost at Rejupara in the Cox's Bazar district, killing three BDRs and looting arms and ammunitions.
Bangladesh has been facing difficulties with the Rohingya refugee problem since 1978, when nearly 300,000 Rohingyas were forced to cross the border and came to Bangladesh, following Burma’s Operation “Nagamin” (Dragon King).
During 1991-92, the second wave of over 250,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh to escape persecution. Bangladesh, with the help of the international community, tried to resolve the issue with diplomatic methods, but with Burma’s unbending policies, the refugee problem could not be completely resolved.
The demarcation of maritime boundaries is another issue that created a conflict of interest between these two countries. The second round of tension erupted when Burma hired South Korea's Daewoo Company to carry out exploration for oil and gas deposits in the Bay of Bengal in November 2008. Diplomatic initiatives to solve the problem ended without any results. Being upset with the attitude of Burma, Bangladesh submitted the case to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in 2009. After a series of hearings in September 2011, the court planned to convey a ruling in March 2012.
With this background, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister (PM) has recently visited Burma in an effort to build a relationship that will be beneficial for the people of both countries. She last visited Burma immediately after the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in early December.
During the visit, the PM of Bangladesh raised the issue of Rohingya refugees living in two official camps, as well as the huge number of undocumented Burmese nationals living in Bangladesh. She stated that early resolution of these issues will help strengthen bilateral relations to a great scope. The President of Burma expressed his desire to work together with Bangladesh in resolving these issues.
Bangladesh wants to import energy from Burma, and requested the president to import readymade garments, pharmaceutical products, knitwear, jute and jute goods, ceramics, and other goods from Bangladesh at a competitive price. The two countries also want a direct banking arrangement under the Asian Clearing Union, so that letter of credits (LCs) can be opened directly between the two countries. They wish to launch direct air flights between Dhaka/Chittagong and Rangoon, and non-conventional vessels between the selected commercial routes of the two countries also want to increase border trade. There are reports that in 2010-11 Bangladesh's exports to Burma stood at $9.65 million, and imports from Burma at $175.7 million. Moreover, Bangladesh has plans for a deep-sea port at Sonadia to be a regional hub, and this will be of tremendous importance to Burma and other Asian nations.
A solution to the Rohingya refugee problem will further enhance Burma’s human rights image with the international community. It is a matter to be seen how the Bangladeshi government and diplomats capitalize on such urgent needs of Burma.
Both countries should highlight not only connectivity through land, sea, and air, but should also increase people-to-people contact through various cultural exchanges, sports, education, trade fairs, and other mutually beneficial activities.
