Staff Reporter :
Experts have emphasised the urgent need for a coherent national strategy to address the complex challenges arising from the Arakan Army’s (AA) expanding control over Rakhine State, which is creating tension in Bangladesh and the wider region.
The AA is reportedly in control of over 80 per cent of Rakhine State in Myanmar, according to discussions held during a dialogue organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) in Dhaka on Saturday.
Major General (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, President of BIPSS, highlighted the strategic significance of Rakhine due to its maritime access to the Bay of Bengal and its resource-rich, multi-ethnic composition.
He warned that delays in engaging with the AA could result in missed opportunities, particularly as major powers like China and India extend their influence in the region.
Muniruzzaman also drew attention to the potential risks posed by the AA’s increasing dominance, particularly for India’s northeastern states.
Panelists, including Major General (Retd) Md Shahidul Haque and Assistant Professor Parvez Karim Abbasi, discussed the advantages of engaging with the AA despite its controversial position on the Rohingya issue.
Major General Haque described such engagement as a “win-win situation” for Bangladesh, arguing that it could advance both the country’s security and economic interests.
He observed that the evolving political dynamics in Rakhine offer Bangladesh a rare strategic opportunity to negotiate its regional interests, especially in relation to India.
Haque also underscored that the AA is the first non-state actor with which Bangladesh shares a border. While acknowledging the AA’s lack of accountability for human rights and international recognition, he cautioned against potential cross-border insurgent movements.
Assistant Professor Abbasi raised concerns about the AA’s vision, which excludes the Rohingya population and could exacerbate insurgency risks in the region.
The session explored ways in which Bangladesh might leverage its strategic position between China and India, advocating for a balanced approach to regional dynamics.
This includes empowering Rohingya refugees for leadership roles and ensuring their eventual repatriation.
Shafqat Munir, Senior Research Fellow at BIPSS, stressed the importance of Bangladesh navigating its leverage in the situation.
He highlighted the region’s critical role in the context of US-China strategic competition, referencing initiatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the BCIM Economic Corridor.
Additionally, Munir pointed out that projects such as the Sino-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline underscore Rakhine’s role as a vital connectivity hub.
Experts at the dialogue underscored the necessity of adopting a balanced approach to regional dynamics and fostering sustainable solutions to address these multifaceted geopolitical challenges.
