Discussion on BD-Myanmar ties held in Dhaka

Staff Reporter :

A discussion session titled “Bangladesh-Myanmar Relations in the Context of South Asian Geopolitics: Exploring Business Opportunities and Political Dynamics” was held at Shaheed Dulal Mancha, organised by Maclarens Club.

The event featured Lieutenant General (Retd.) Aminul Karim as the chief guest. The session was presided over by Professor Dr. Lt. Colonel Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, BNCCO, while Professor Farhad Hossain participated as a guest speaker. The discussion was moderated by Professor Dr. Tanvir Abir.

During his speech, Dr. Kalimullah highlighted that the two Myanmar provinces bordering Bangladesh are currently under the control of the Rakhine Army, and Bangladesh must formulate its strategic policies with this reality in mind.

Delivering the keynote address, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Aminul Karim emphasized that diplomatic influence alone is ineffective without a strong military presence. He underscored the necessity of enhancing Bangladesh’s naval and air force capabilities to ensure national security.

Professor Farhad Hossain addressed the Rohingya crisis, noting that it remains a critical issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar. He pointed out that Myanmar is unlikely to repatriate the Rohingya refugees and suggested that India may be covertly influencing the situation. He further warned that with approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees currently residing in Bangladesh and a rising birth rate among them, the demographic and socio-political landscape of the coastal region could be significantly impacted.