Bangladesh-Myanmar
Bangladesh-Myanmar Relations in the Context of Recent Developments in Myanmar
3. Bangladesh-Myanmar relations: Challenges and Opportunities
Bangladesh and Myanmar share approximately 200 kilometre of land border. Both the countries have a long history of sharing political, cultural and economic affairs prior to their emergence as modern nation states. They have also common heritage of British colonial experience. However, after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Myanmar expressed willingness to promote a friendly relationship with Bangladesh. Both the countries always continued a cordial relationship, but they failed to develop economic cooperation in light of their proximity and apparently complementary economic interests. The influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Bangladesh has created concerns about a stable relationship. However, the issue remains a controversial one between the countries. At the same time, the issue surprisingly did not affect bilateral relations severely.
On the other hand, Bangladesh never talked more about the internal political development of Myanmar. Rather, Bangladesh was always keen to emphasize on bilateral issues. But, the military rule in Myanmar always remains a concern for the people of Bangladesh. The democratic forces in Bangladesh want to see Myanmar as a democratic country. In this respect, the recent political and economic reforms in Myanmar have enhanced the expectations of Bangladesh to develop a new phase of relationship which would be beneficial for both the countries in terms of security and development.
The ongoing political and economic reforms in Myanmar can contribute to lead Bangladesh-Myanmar relations towards a new phase. Firstly, the new process of political reform in Myanmar indicates the country’s towards democracy. However, the process of democratisation may be slow, but such reforms are making remarkable contribution in the governance process of the country. Such processes of democratisation
3. Bangladesh-Myanmar relations: Challenges and Opportunities
Bangladesh and Myanmar share approximately 200 kilometre of land border. Both the countries have a long history of sharing political, cultural and economic affairs prior to their emergence as modern nation states. They have also common heritage of British colonial experience. However, after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, Myanmar expressed willingness to promote a friendly relationship with Bangladesh. Both the countries always continued a cordial relationship, but they failed to develop economic cooperation in light of their proximity and apparently complementary economic interests. The influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Bangladesh has created concerns about a stable relationship. However, the issue remains a controversial one between the countries. At the same time, the issue surprisingly did not affect bilateral relations severely.
On the other hand, Bangladesh never talked more about the internal political development of Myanmar. Rather, Bangladesh was always keen to emphasize on bilateral issues. But, the military rule in Myanmar always remains a concern for the people of Bangladesh. The democratic forces in Bangladesh want to see Myanmar as a democratic country. In this respect, the recent political and economic reforms in Myanmar have enhanced the expectations of Bangladesh to develop a new phase of relationship which would be beneficial for both the countries in terms of security and development.
The ongoing political and economic reforms in Myanmar can contribute to lead Bangladesh-Myanmar relations towards a new phase. Firstly, the new process of political reform in Myanmar indicates the country’s towards democracy. However, the process of democratisation may be slow, but such reforms are making remarkable contribution in the governance process of the country. Such processes of democratisation