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Abstract
This article provides an analysis, from a Bangladeshi perspective, of the prospects for attaining a "new height" in the bilateral relationship with Myanmar. It examines the context of the political and economic reforms underway in Myanmar, which, it argues, have created a historic new opportunity for a more positive and productive relationship. The study identifies the key areas where cooperation could be significantly enhanced. These include the expansion of trade and investment, the development of cross-border transport connectivity, cooperation in the energy sector, and collaboration in maritime security in the Bay of Bengal. The research also addresses the persistent challenges that need to be overcome to realize this potential, most notably the unresolved Rohingya refugee crisis. The paper concludes with a strong call for a proactive and forward-looking diplomatic engagement from Bangladesh to seize this unique opportunity and to build a durable and mutually beneficial partnership with its eastern neighbor.
Full Text
The political and economic opening of Myanmar in the early 2010s created a new and promising strategic context for its relationship with Bangladesh. This paper offers a detailed analysis of the prospects for elevating this historically underdeveloped relationship to a new level. The first part of the study is a comprehensive exploration of the significant untapped opportunities for cooperation. It makes a strong economic case for enhancing connectivity, arguing that Bangladesh could serve as a natural gateway for Myanmar to the markets of South Asia, and vice versa. The paper delves into the specific potential for energy cooperation, particularly the import of hydropower and natural gas from Myanmar. It also explores the scope for expanding bilateral trade and for Bangladeshi investment in its neighbor's newly opening economy. The core of the article, however, is a realistic assessment of the major challenges that must be addressed. The most significant and complex of these is the long-standing Rohingya refugee issue, which the paper identifies as the primary source of mistrust and the main obstacle to a deeper partnership. The findings lead to a clear policy recommendation for Bangladesh: to pursue a "two-track" diplomacy. This would involve a proactive effort to expand cooperation in the economic and connectivity domains, while simultaneously engaging in a persistent and principled diplomatic effort to find a just and durable solution to the Rohingya crisis. The paper concludes that a strategic and multi-pronged approach can help to transform this challenging relationship into one of the cornerstones of Bangladesh's "Look East" policy.