Dhaka tells visiting US team: Myanmar peace hinges on Rohingya rights

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh has conveyed a clear message to the visiting United States delegation that sustainable peace in Myanmar is unattainable without a resolution to the protracted Rohingya crisis.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain made the remarks on Friday during a discussion at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, held to mark Foreign Service Day 2025. He referred to a meeting with US officials the previous day, in which the Rohingya issue and broader Myanmar situation featured prominently.

Hossain identified the Arakan Army as a key obstacle to resolving the crisis, stating, “As the group is neither a recognised state nor an international entity, formal negotiations are not feasible. However, it would also be unrealistic to ignore them in any meaningful resolution.”

He added, “Even if hostilities in Myanmar cease, true peace cannot be established unless the Rohingya issue is addressed.

I stressed this position unequivocally. We are dealing with a new kind of neighbour – non-state actors. We cannot engage with them in the traditional sense, nor can we overlook their influence. It presents a significant diplomatic challenge.”

He further remarked that Bangladesh hopes time may allow for progress towards a resolution, noting that the role of the international community, particularly influential partners, will be critical.

“We expect our friends and global powers to apply pressure so that any future government in Myanmar addresses the Rohingya crisis from a humanitarian standpoint and ensures the restoration of their rights,” he said.

The meeting also touched on bilateral trade, with Mr Hossain noting that tariff issues were discussed. He stated, “We are working to reduce trade barriers. I also highlighted that the perceived gap between the two sides is not as wide as often assumed, given Bangladesh’s substantial imports in the service sector.”

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs inaugurated Foreign Service Day 2025 with a flag-raising ceremony at its premises. During the event, Mr Hossain noted that over the past 53 years, Bangladesh has made considerable diplomatic and economic progress, having attained lower-middle-income status and reaching export volumes nearing USD 8 billion.

However, he acknowledged that Bangladesh’s foreign missions remain understaffed, which hampers service delivery, particularly for the large expatriate population.

“In Arab countries alone, there are approximately 3.2 million Bangladeshis, many of whom face challenges. Yet, there is insufficient staffing to address their needs. Interestingly, about 80 percent of these problems originate before they even leave Bangladesh. Hence, solutions must begin at home,” he explained.

Former Ambassador Humayun Kabir delivered the keynote paper and shared reflections on his diplomatic career, encouraging current diplomats to broaden their scope beyond traditional bilateral engagements. “The world is evolving rapidly – to remain relevant, our diplomacy must evolve too,” he urged.

Foreign Secretary Jasim Uddin highlighted the historical significance of 18 April 1971, when Bangladeshi diplomats at the Kolkata mission raised the national flag and severed ties with Pakistan, marking the beginning of direct diplomatic engagement in the Liberation War. He paid tribute to the role of diplomats in mobilising international support for Bangladesh’s cause during that period.