Let Bygones Be Bygones

January 13, 2022, marked the 50 years of bilateral ties between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Myanmar recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign state on January 13, 1972. However, there weren’t any seminars, discussions, statements, felicitations between the two neighbours to mark the special day. Although the 50-year ties between the two neighbours witnessed many ups and downs, both the countries now need to let bygones be bygones to cement their ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries as well as for the greater interest of the South Asia and Southeast Asia regions.

When Bangladesh celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence, many countries in the world other than Myanmar, felicitated Bangladesh on the occasion. It has something to do with the fact that the relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar are strained and polarized, while formal consular and diplomatic channels are almost not working, which is not a good sign by any measure. Despite immense potential for development and growth, the two countries have not been able to build a true relationship with each other. As a corollary, the people of both nations are deprived of advantages they could accrue from friendly relationships.

Geographically speaking, Myanmar is located in the eastern part of Bangladesh with a 271 km border. To its southeast, it is at least 150 km wide, due to its hilly terrain and dense forest cover. Myanmar enjoys a strategic position between China and India. The same position also applies to Bangladesh. Since both countries enjoy important strategic positions in South Asia and Southeast Asia, they can be a gateway between these regions.

Myanmar can use Bangladesh as a transportation route to reach such markets as Bhutan, Nepal and India, particularly the country's North-East region. Bangladesh and Myanmar share some common regional platforms such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation (BIMSTEC), an organization comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
If Bangladesh and Myanmar are able to improve their bilateral relations, their dependence on China and India could be reduced and could increase their trade with the other countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia in particular.

Bangladesh can be an important hub to connect the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). Myanmar too, as an ASEAN member, can access the SAARC free-trade bloc through Bangladesh if the Myanmar-Bangladesh ties can be improved.

In the case of bilateral relations, there were two issues that caused some trouble between them. The first was the demarcation of the sea-boundary between Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is a matter of satisfaction that the matter was settled peacefully by the 1982 International Tribunal of the Sea Convention in March 2012. As both countries share the Bay of Bengal area and 271km long border, Myanmar and Bangladesh can tackle non-traditional security threats in the Bay of Bengal such as piracy, drug and human trafficking, curbing terrorism and environmental degradation in the region. The Rohingya refugee crisis is another top concern for both nations. Between August and November 2017, a military operation in Myanmar reportedly forced over 700,000 Rohingya to cross the border into Bangladesh.

This was not the first occasion when Bangladesh had faced the Rohingya crisis as similar episodes have taken place repeatedly. In 1978, for example, an anti-insurgency operation by the then military government of Myanmar in Rakhine State resulted in a brutal crackdown, with some 300,000 Rohingya crossing the border into Bangladesh. Again in 1991-92, the second wave of more than 250,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh to escape the wrath of Myanmar's military junta. In the past, the two countries managed to peacefully resolve the issue through bilateral talks, however, the current Rohingya crisis is hurting the bilateral ties between both nations.

Other areas can be used to enhance bilateral cooperation. Myanmar, for instance, is rich in natural resources such as tin, zinc, copper, tungsten, coal, marble, limestone, natural gas, hydropower, etc. Myanmar could thus be a major source of energy for Bangladesh.

Myanmar is also a major supplier of natural wood to the world. While it has traditionally eyed foreign investment in the oil and gas sector, the country has recently shifted its focus towards production-based investment. Myanmar is well ahead in power generation following a good investment in hydropower generation and the country's tourism industry is also a promising sector. A number of important Buddhist archaeological sites have already been discovered in different parts of Bangladesh, which is believed to be a rich repository of Buddhist heritage. To attract global visitors, the Bangladesh government organized an international event in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization in October 2015.

There are a number of magnificent Buddhist temples in Bangladesh. The Golden Temple at a hilltop in the Bandarban district is probably the most beautiful Buddhist temple in Bangladesh. Gigantic Buddha status in Dhaka, Chittagong, and other parts of Bangladesh are special attractions for Buddhist devotees and tourists. There are also a number of Buddhist learning centres and pilgrimage spots in Bangladesh.
This area of archaeological sites refers to Paharpur in Naogaon, Mahasthangarh in Bagura, Mainamati in Comilla, and Bikrampur in Dhaka district. Each of these sites has a historic relevance and some archaeological sites are important for both Hindus and Buddhists, thus providing both countries a valuable opportunity to promote religious tourism. Bangladesh can import gas and electricity to meet its future energy security and the two countries can jointly explore oil and gas fields in the Bay of Bengal.

The proposed construction of the Asian Highway, funded by the Asian Development Bank, can increase land connectivity between the two countries and increase trade in products such as fertilizers, plastics, cement, furniture, etc. Bangladesh will soon complete the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway line, which will run from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox's Bazar (one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country). This line can be extended to North East India, Nepal, and Bhutan. If this line can be extended to China-South East Asia via Bangladesh’s Ghundhum- Myanmar as part of the proposed Trans Asian Railway Network Asian Highway Network, the whole region can greatly benefit from it. In a similar vein, Myanmar should rise to the occasion to join the Trans Asian Railroad.

Myanmar, which at present does have sophisticated manufacturing facilities, can benefit from the technology transfer and can import electronics and pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh. They can also increase agricultural production through joint ventures. In this connection, Bangladesh can import a large volume of various aquaculture and agricultural products including pulses, spices, rice and fish. Enhanced bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Myanmar could contribute to the growth of trade and business relations with the ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries. This will create an opening to solve the long-festering Rohingya problem and stop militant activities across the border.

Basically, the Rakhine region of Myanmar can be used as a trade hub between Bangladesh and Myanmar. The agro-products in Rakhine need a viable market and Bangladesh can be a big market for the goods produced in Rakhine. On the other hand, Bangladesh has vast and tremendous experience in garments and production of agricultural sectors. Myanmar can make the most of Bangladesh's expertise and experience in this regard. Myanmar’s products are widely known as Burmese products in Bangladesh. Myanmar and Bangladesh can set up some border hats (border market) between both countries to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation. India and Bangladesh are benefitting from such kinds of border hats established at the border. Thus, promoting people-to-people contact, bolstering public diplomacy between the two sides can mend the strained ties between Myanmar and Bangladesh.