Recalibrating Bangladesh-Myanmar relation

THE relation between Bangladesh and Myanmar officially began on January 13, 1972, the date on which Myanmar recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign state. However, the relation between these two close neighbours has never been smooth and has undergone frequent ups and downs over the last 40 years on a few issues. Both countries have not been able to build a pragmatic relationship with each other despite having a lot of potentials. Myanmar being closed to the outside world for more than 50 years shows few distinct patterns of behaviour in developing effective bilateral relations with Bangladesh. These are: Myanmar capitalised Bangladesh's geographical vulnerability, being remained under the umbrella of China was reluctant to count her small neighbour, being always stubborn in their attitude and behavior to solve the disputes and more inclined towards India and China. As such Bangladesh was discouraged and lost interest to charter a course to bring Myanmar into a negotiation table for developing meaningful relation with her. On the contrary, India and China have taken the full advantage of Myanmar's isolation and developed a deep relationship with her.

The issues that dominated their relations are the influx of Rohingya refugees, demarcation of land and maritime boundary, illegal drug trafficking and alleged cross border movement of insurgents. The relation deteriorated severely in 1991 when Myanmar armed forces launched a surprised attack and ransacked the then Bangladesh Rifle's border outpost at Rejupara in Cox's Bazar district. Myanmar forces killed three members of Bangladesh Rifles and looted their arms and ammunition. However, a major regional conflict was averted because of exercising restrains by Bangladesh.

Before the border incident, Bangladesh had been burdened with the Rohingya refugee problems since 1978. Over 200,000, Rohingyas were forced to cross the border and came to Bangladesh, following Operation 'Nagamin' ('Dragon King') launched by the Myanmar army.

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 that issue through diplomatic channel but due to Myanmar's stubborn attitude the refugee problem could not be fully resolved.

The demarcation of maritime boundary was another issue that created a conflict of interest between these two states. The second round of tension erupted when Myanmar hired South Korea's Daewoo International Corporation to carry out the exploration in the Bay of Bengal, 90 KM South West of Bangladesh in November 2008.

Diplomatic initiative to solve the problem ended without any result. Being upset with the attitude of Myanmar, Bangladesh submitted the case to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in 2009. After a series of hearing in September 2011 the court planned to convey a ruling in March 2012.

In this backdrop, our prime minister has visited Myanmar in an effort to build a relationship that will be beneficial for the people of both the countries. She has visited Myanmar immediately after the visit of US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and at a moment when there are talks within the international community about Myanmar looking for a change. The changes were evident when the former General Thein Sein, after coming to power in March this year, halted the Chinese-funded $ 3.6 billion Myitsone dam project in the state of Kachin respecting the demand of the people of that region. Myanmar government has released more than 6,000 political prisoners and enacted laws allowing for protests and rallies; indicating commitment for democratic reforms.

During the visit, the prime minister of Bangladesh raised the issue of Myanmar refugees living in Nayapara and Kutupalong camp and the huge number of undocumented Myanmar nationals living in Bangladesh and stated that early resolution of these issues will help strengthen the bilateral relations to a great extent. The president of Myanmar expressed his desire to cooperate with Bangladesh in resolving the issue.

The prime minister expressed Bangladesh's willingness to import energy from Myanmar and requested the president to import readymade garments, pharmaceutical products, knitwears, jute and jute goods, ceramics etc. from Bangladesh at competitive price and mentioned that Bangladesh was keen on organize a “Single Country Trade Fair” in Yangon early next year.

The two heads of governments stressed upon the establishment of direct banking arrangement under ACU (Asian Clearing Union) so that LCs can be opened directly between the two countries. They wished to launch direct air flight between Dhaka/Chittagong and Yangon and non-conventional vessels between the designated commercial routes of the two countries. The two leaders also emphasised on the increase of border trade.

Finally, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed the following Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding:

a. Agreement on the establishment of a Joint Commission for bilateral cooperation between the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

b. Memorandum of Understanding on establishment of Joint Business Council (JBC) between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

A foundation for a potential beginning has been laid by both the leaders; it is the bureaucracy to do its job to take the relationship to a new height.

Let me point out a misperception that is prevailing among some of the Myanmar nationals about Bangladesh. Many in Myanmar are misinformed and have a feeling that nothing can be gained from Bangladesh, which is evident to a comment posted by Maug Kyaw Nu, a former political prisoner. He wrote, “There are refugees along the Burma's bordering countries like Bangladesh, India, China and Thailand. These Refugees are neglected there. Every neighbour is engaged to hunt or loot Burma's natural resources and wealth. They do not hesitate to hug the military generals for their benefit, which is a big shame for our neighbour leaders. Now the Bangladesh prime minister lands in Naypyitaw to hug Thien Sein to gain some resources and economic benefits. Instead of solving the refugees' long lasting problem, she is very busy to gain more wealth from Burma.”

Whereas Bangladesh prime minister has indeed raised the Rohingya refugee issue and there are reports that in 2010-11 Bangladesh's exports to Myanmar stood at $9.65 million and imports from Myanmar at $175.7 million.

The people of Myanmar must be informed that they have the potential to win more from Bangladesh as we have a big market and an increasing middle-class society. Moreover, Bangladesh planned deep-sea port at Sonadia will be a regional hub and will be of tremendous importance to Myanmar and other Asian nations. Myanmar having natural resources like abundance of farm lands, woods, gas and hydro power has the potential to be a candid economic friend. A newly elected Chairman of Asean should be well aware that the solution to Rohingya refugee problem will give an additional mileage to enhance its human rights image to international community, which the General Thein Sein government is urgently seeking. It is a matter to be seen how Bangladesh bureaucracy and diplomats capitalise such urgent needs of Myanmar.

Both Bangladesh and Myanmar should emphasise not only on connectivity through land, sea and air but should also increase people to people contact through various cultural exchanges, sports, educations, trade fairs, zand other mutually beneficial activities. Therefore, both countries should recalibrate their relation for the common good of the people of this region.

The writer is a retired Brigadier General.

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