The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed rebel group of the country, has claimed control of a town on the Bangladesh-India border in Myanmar's western Rakhine state. According to international media reports, Myanmar's junta government has lost control of the port city of Paletoa, a major port for foreign trade.
A year ago, a spokesman for the armed group Arakan Army expressed solidarity with the Rohingya population displaced from Raikhan state. Security and geopolitical analyst Major General (Rtd) Abdur Rashid spoke to Barta24.com about whether the rebel group's capture of the border port city creates any new security concerns for neighboring Bangladesh or what kind of role Bangladesh should play now. Planning Editor Ashraful Islam spoke to Abdur Rashid.
Barta24.com: What is the positive or negative significance for Bangladesh as the control of the border town of Paletoa in Myanmar comes under the control of the insurgent group Arakan Army?
Major General (Rtd) Abdur Rashid: One thing to understand is that when the integrity of a country is in danger, it naturally spreads fear to its neighboring countries. What will happen here as a border town in Rakhine falls to the Arakan Army will have to be watched closely. Since there is a Rohingya problem in Bangladesh, we should adopt a two-pronged diplomacy. On the one hand, connections should be made with the Arakan Army, whether overtly or covertly. And naturally, we have diplomatic relations with Myanmar at the government level. This is because the Arakan Army had a policy on the Rohingyas. They think they (Rohingya) are their people. There is no objection to take back the Rohingyas. The situation in Rakhine also raises concerns about how long the junta government will last in Myanmar. Bilateral diplomacy is to be pursued when a government does not survive or threatens to survive. Bangladesh should establish relations with whoever comes to power there, so that other unresolved issues along the border, including the Rohingya issue, can be resolved quickly. I think we have no reason to panic but we must be very proactive.
Barta24.com: The scope of our bilateral relations with China is increasing; can China play any role in this?
Major General (Rtd) Abdur Rashid: We see that they have not played any role for the last 5/6 years. Tried, failed. Our actions should not be based on the role of any country. We would like everyone to come forward to solve our problems.
Barta24.com: Is the rise of the Arakan Army posing any security threat to us?
Major General (Rtd) Abdur Rasheed: I think the situation developing there (in Rakhine) has not created any security threat for us.