By: Camp Correspondent
May 7, 2025 | Dhaka
Bangladesh has dismissed objections raised by Myanmar’s military regime regarding recent reports of contact between Bangladeshi authorities and the Arakan Army (AA), stating that engagement with actors operating near the border is necessary for safeguarding national interests.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 6, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser to Bangladesh’s caretaker government, asserted:
“Bangladesh is a sovereign country with an independent foreign policy. We will communicate with anyone when it serves our national interest.”
His statement came in response to Myanmar junta concerns following reports of a meeting between Bangladeshi officials and members of the Arakan Army, which now controls most of northern Rakhine State bordering Bangladesh.
Border Realities and Shifting Power Dynamics
Dr. Rahman emphasized that the Arakan Army now holds de facto control over areas adjacent to Bangladesh, making some level of communication “unavoidable” for border security, humanitarian coordination, and regional stability.
“The AA is present along our border. This is a fact. We must deal with realities on the ground to protect our people,” he said.
When asked whether such engagement challenges Myanmar’s sovereignty, he replied:
“This is not about interfering with any country’s internal affairs. It’s about securing our borders and managing cross-border impacts.”
Myanmar Junta’s Reaction and Bangladesh’s Rebuttal
Myanmar’s military regime, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, had earlier officially protested Bangladesh’s contact with the AA, framing it as an act undermining Myanmar’s territorial integrity. However, Bangladesh’s response signals a shift toward a more pragmatic and regionally grounded approach.
“We are not choosing sides. We are choosing stability,” said an official at the Foreign Ministry, speaking to Rohingya Khobor on condition of anonymity.
Implications for Rohingya and Regional Diplomacy
The development comes at a time when over 1 million Rohingya remain stranded in Bangladesh, with little prospect of safe repatriation. As AA expands its control in northern Rakhine, observers note that the path to future repatriation may increasingly depend on groups like the ULA/AA, rather than Myanmar’s junta alone.
Bangladesh has already called for the inclusion of the Rohingya in any new administrative structure being formed in Arakan, warning that their exclusion would jeopardize future cooperation.
“The AA may control territory, but if they exclude Rohingya voices, it will be no different from the junta,” said a Rohingya civil society leader in Cox’s Bazar.
As regional dynamics continue to shift, Bangladesh’s engagement with the Arakan Army signals a strategic recalibration—one that centers national security but also reflects the changing ground realities across the Myanmar-Bangladesh frontier.
