kalu_miah
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We hope to make this a sticky thread with periodic discussions on important issues on the relations between the two nations. To start off, here is a wiki entry and 2 recent articles:
Bangladesh-Burma relations - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PM wants vibrant relations with Myanmar
PM wants vibrant relations with Myanmar
Looks like Hasina is giving lip service to official Bangladesh look east policy of building relations with ASEAN countries, but not showing much action on the ground.
All roads lead to Myanmar!
All roads lead to Myanmar!
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury
Rabindranath Tagore wrote in one of his classic poems: Paschim Aaj Khuliache dhar, shetha hothe shabe aane upahar .., (the West has opened its door and all are collecting presents from there …". Now, it appears that all are of late veering towards the south-east Asian nation of Myanmar which has long been known for iron-fist rule but is making remarkable changes in the recent times. The country that had been under the rule of the military junta for about five decades from since 1962 to 2010 and has only recently made a transition to a quasi-civilian government, is drawing increasing admiration from the international community. The present regime in Myanmar has taken several commendable steps in the last few months and all these are being seen as encouraging signs for democratic reforms. The democratic world is all praise for Myanmar authorities for taking initiatives in this direction and hopes that the country will eventually reach the much cherished goal of full pluralistic society. World leaders are visiting the country. They are inspiring the government to go ahead with the reforms and urging the opposition leader and icon of democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, for carrying out her reforms agenda in concert with the authorities.
The business leaders are not lagging behind. They too are thronging 'Burma' (Myanmar is still known in many countries by this earlier name). More and more people are travelling to Yangoon, the former capital and main city, and also to the present capital Naypyidaw. Visa and other procedures are being simplified in Myanmar to encourage those who find the once-isolated country as a potential place for business. Not too long before, many people from our country went to such places like "Rangoon" (now Yangoon) and Mandalaya for trade, especially for timber and precious stones. "Burma Teak" and "Burmese Ruby" are very much familiar names to us. Since the nation came under strict military rule in 1962, that trend waned. Now, it is a different scenario as things have markedly changed.
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is the last of the important world leaders to visit Myanmar. He was accompanied by a large business delegation. He held talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein and opposition leader Suu Kyi. India signed twelve agreements for cooperation in various fields during Manmohan's visit.
Incidentally, India maintained good relations with the junta leaders of Myanmar much to the dismay of the democratic world. Clearly, New Delhi pursued such a policy because of business interest and to obviate the influence of China in Myanmar. Communist China has warm ties with that country and is not bothered about democracy since Beijing itself practises one-party rule. But the case of India is different. Indian government's support for the military regime in Myanmar came under strong criticism in its own land and Nobel laureate Dr. Amartya Sen wondered how the world's biggest democracy could support an autocratic government. Evidently, India was driven by strategic interests and its principled stand on democracy took a back seat.
In the changed circumstances, New Delhi is seeking to take full advantage of President Thein Sein's policy of openness in one hand and repair the ruptured ties with the opposition leader Suu Kyi, on the other. Understandably, Suu Kyi was unhappy about India's past policy of having cordial ties with Myanmar's military rulers. Suu Kyi, who studied in India as her mother was Burma's ambassador there, was somewhat aghast at the pro-junta policy of New Delhi. Now, India is repairing relations with her and also making efforts to seize business and other opportunities with all seriousness.
Earlier, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Foreign Secretary William Hague, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton visited Myanmar for talks with both government and opposition leaders. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was also there to encourage steps towards desirable reforms. The World Bank and other global institutions are relaxing or lifting measures that were imposed on Myanmar because of repressive rule. The US has not fully withdrawn the restrictions as the lawmakers there want more time to watch the progress towards democracy and good governance.
Bangladesh businessmen are landing in Myanmar in search of trade. Dhaka is contemplating cooperation with Myanmar in gas and other fields. But the question is: How much serious are we or are we moving in a planned manner?
This writer had the opportunity of travelling to Myanmar way back in 1977 as a member of an official journalist delegation from Bangladesh led by celebrated poet and the then Dainik Bangla editor Shamsur Rahman.
A friend has just returned from Yangoon and he says the city is bristling with business and all kind of activities and presence of the foreigners are noteworthy. But he says Bangladesh appears to be lagging behind in exploiting the opportunities in Myanmar and doubts whether timely and pragmatic steps are being taken in that regard.
zaglulbss@yahoo.com
Bangladesh-Burma relations - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The neighboring countries of Bangladesh and Burma (officially, Myanmar) currently have a ambiguous bilateral relationship. Tensions exist between the two countries due to border disputes and the presence of over 270,000 Burmese Muslim refugees in Bangladesh.[1] Bilateral ties with Myanmar are good, despite occasional border strains and an influx of more than 270,000 Muslim refugees (known as "Rohingya") from predominantly Buddhist Burma. As a result of bilateral discussions, and with the cooperation and assistance of the UNHCR, most of the Rohingya refugees have now returned to Burma[source?]. As of 2000, about 22,000 refugees remain in camps in southern Bangladesh.
At the 2008 ASEAN Regional forum summit in Singapore, Bangladesh and Myanmar have pledged to solve their Maritime boundary disputes as quickly as possible especially that a UN deadline in claiming maritime territories will expire in three years time.[2]
Both countries discussed the possibility of linking the two countries together in an attempt to boost their trade and commerce relations. The estimate to complete the 25 km highway is three years and at the cost of $20 million. Another aspect of this plan is to connect the highway to the Asian Superhighway which would connect the two countries to China.[3]
PM wants vibrant relations with Myanmar
PM wants vibrant relations with Myanmar
Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Monday said her government is keen to build vibrant relations with neighbouring Myanmar in the backdrop of its changing political situation, reports BSS.
She said Dhaka greatly values the importance of strengthening relations with Yangon as the country is the first stepping-stone for Bangladesh to build bridge with South East Asia.
Sheikh Hasina said this when outgoing Ambassador of Myanmar in Bangladesh U Min Lwin paid a farewell call on her at Gonobhaban here.
After the farewell call, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said Sheikh Hasina congratulated the envoy for his valuable contribution during his stay in Dhaka in improving the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Expressing satisfaction on the settlement of long-standing demarcation of the maritime boundary issue, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is willing to forge stronger relations with Myanmar for greater interest and welfare of the peoples of the two countries.
She referred to the excellent historic relation, bondage, cultural traditions and people-to-people interactions and common aspirations saying direct road and rail connectivity would give a tremendous boost to trade opportunities between the two countries, Azad said.
Looks like Hasina is giving lip service to official Bangladesh look east policy of building relations with ASEAN countries, but not showing much action on the ground.
All roads lead to Myanmar!
All roads lead to Myanmar!
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury
Rabindranath Tagore wrote in one of his classic poems: Paschim Aaj Khuliache dhar, shetha hothe shabe aane upahar .., (the West has opened its door and all are collecting presents from there …". Now, it appears that all are of late veering towards the south-east Asian nation of Myanmar which has long been known for iron-fist rule but is making remarkable changes in the recent times. The country that had been under the rule of the military junta for about five decades from since 1962 to 2010 and has only recently made a transition to a quasi-civilian government, is drawing increasing admiration from the international community. The present regime in Myanmar has taken several commendable steps in the last few months and all these are being seen as encouraging signs for democratic reforms. The democratic world is all praise for Myanmar authorities for taking initiatives in this direction and hopes that the country will eventually reach the much cherished goal of full pluralistic society. World leaders are visiting the country. They are inspiring the government to go ahead with the reforms and urging the opposition leader and icon of democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, for carrying out her reforms agenda in concert with the authorities.
The business leaders are not lagging behind. They too are thronging 'Burma' (Myanmar is still known in many countries by this earlier name). More and more people are travelling to Yangoon, the former capital and main city, and also to the present capital Naypyidaw. Visa and other procedures are being simplified in Myanmar to encourage those who find the once-isolated country as a potential place for business. Not too long before, many people from our country went to such places like "Rangoon" (now Yangoon) and Mandalaya for trade, especially for timber and precious stones. "Burma Teak" and "Burmese Ruby" are very much familiar names to us. Since the nation came under strict military rule in 1962, that trend waned. Now, it is a different scenario as things have markedly changed.
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is the last of the important world leaders to visit Myanmar. He was accompanied by a large business delegation. He held talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein and opposition leader Suu Kyi. India signed twelve agreements for cooperation in various fields during Manmohan's visit.
Incidentally, India maintained good relations with the junta leaders of Myanmar much to the dismay of the democratic world. Clearly, New Delhi pursued such a policy because of business interest and to obviate the influence of China in Myanmar. Communist China has warm ties with that country and is not bothered about democracy since Beijing itself practises one-party rule. But the case of India is different. Indian government's support for the military regime in Myanmar came under strong criticism in its own land and Nobel laureate Dr. Amartya Sen wondered how the world's biggest democracy could support an autocratic government. Evidently, India was driven by strategic interests and its principled stand on democracy took a back seat.
In the changed circumstances, New Delhi is seeking to take full advantage of President Thein Sein's policy of openness in one hand and repair the ruptured ties with the opposition leader Suu Kyi, on the other. Understandably, Suu Kyi was unhappy about India's past policy of having cordial ties with Myanmar's military rulers. Suu Kyi, who studied in India as her mother was Burma's ambassador there, was somewhat aghast at the pro-junta policy of New Delhi. Now, India is repairing relations with her and also making efforts to seize business and other opportunities with all seriousness.
Earlier, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Foreign Secretary William Hague, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton visited Myanmar for talks with both government and opposition leaders. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was also there to encourage steps towards desirable reforms. The World Bank and other global institutions are relaxing or lifting measures that were imposed on Myanmar because of repressive rule. The US has not fully withdrawn the restrictions as the lawmakers there want more time to watch the progress towards democracy and good governance.
Bangladesh businessmen are landing in Myanmar in search of trade. Dhaka is contemplating cooperation with Myanmar in gas and other fields. But the question is: How much serious are we or are we moving in a planned manner?
This writer had the opportunity of travelling to Myanmar way back in 1977 as a member of an official journalist delegation from Bangladesh led by celebrated poet and the then Dainik Bangla editor Shamsur Rahman.
A friend has just returned from Yangoon and he says the city is bristling with business and all kind of activities and presence of the foreigners are noteworthy. But he says Bangladesh appears to be lagging behind in exploiting the opportunities in Myanmar and doubts whether timely and pragmatic steps are being taken in that regard.
zaglulbss@yahoo.com