Staff Reporter :
Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs of the United States, has issued a caution to both Dhaka and Delhi regarding the escalating security challenges stemming from the Rohingya crisis and ongoing instability in Myanmar.
He expressed concerns over the stagnant situation in Myanmar, warning that without improvement, it could further deteriorate and adversely affect neighboring countries, including Bangladesh and potentially India.
These concerns were voiced during a high-level meeting held at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, marking the completion of two years of the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
When discussing unity in the Indo-Pacific region, Lu referenced border conflicts between India and
China, as well as the historical tensions between India and Pakistan.
He emphasized the significant time he had devoted to discussing the potential impact of Myanmar’s situation on the broader South Asia region.
Regarding Bangladesh, Lu highlighted the instability caused by Rohingya refugees and unrest in Myanmar, underscoring the need for regional vigilance and support.
He commended Dhaka for its generosity towards over a million Rohingya refugees and acknowledged the substantial collaborative efforts between the United States and Bangladesh in supporting them.
Lu stressed the importance of assisting regional partners, particularly Bangladesh and India, in confronting challenges while preventing further instability within their borders.
In addressing the Indo-Pacific strategy vis-à-vis Beijing, Lu cited the example of the Maldives as a competitive arena for influence among various nations. He asserted that offering superior proposals would lead to success, suggesting that China could become a constructive partner in true competition.
Lu also expressed the desire to collaborate with the international community to facilitate the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees. He commended Sri Lanka and India as examples of successful diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.
About Bangladesh, he stated, “I’ve spent a lot of time on how the instability in Bangladesh, the Rohingya refugees there, and the instability in Burma (Myanmar) can impact the region.”
Regarding India’s regional relations, Lu conveyed the message to Maldivian authorities during a recent visit that China could potentially be a valuable partner if engaged in genuine competition with other countries.
Lu hinted at the possibility of India and the United States collaborating in countries along Africa’s littoral states, recognizing India’s leadership role in the Indian Ocean region and the importance of joint efforts in this domain.
Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs of the United States, has cautioned Dhaka and Delhi regarding the deteriorating security situation caused by the Rohingya crisis and ongoing instability in Myanmar.
He believes that the situation in Myanmar is not improving, which could worsen further and have unabated effects on neighboring countries, including Bangladesh and “potentially India.”
He expressed these concerns during a high-level meeting with officials from the State Department, National Security Council, and other administrative staff at the Pentagon, marking the completion of two years of the Indo-Pacific strategy of the Biden administration, held at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington on Friday.