A.S.M Riad Arif, Graduated from South Asian University, New Delhi : Geographically Bangladesh is the nearest neighbor of Myanmar. These two countries are sharing 271 kilometers of their borderland. The river ‘Naf’ flows both on the country. Even historically these two Nations were ruined by the British emperor. Before the age of ‘Nation State’, they had a good relationship economically and culturally. People from this region, especially from Chittagong, were used to go Rangoon the former capital of Myanmar) for business and other purposes.
Why not we recall the sweet song by the prominent singer of Chittagong dialect Abdul Gafur Hali ‘O sham Rangoon No Jaiyo’. (O my beloved, Please doesn’t go to Rangoon’, stay here with me!)
So there is an anthological Relation between the two countries which can be described socially and culturally. We get the description of many Myanmar City like Rangoon, Mongroo at Bengali Novel and literature in our school syllabus. Great Bengali Novelist Sarat Chandra’s Character Abhaya from Srikant is based on a woman of Rangoon. The last Mughal King Bahadur Shah exiled at Rangoon by the British.
But after the birth of Bangladesh as an Independent Nation, the relation did not continue. Though there’s a big possibility between the country working together in the sector of Economy, transport, and communication. For connecting with China and other South-East Asian countries, Bangladesh may use the Land port of Myanmar. Bangladesh can import energy form Myanmar.
But Because of the Rohingya issue and the Border unrest, the relationship with Myanmar is empathetic now. Friendship bonding between Myanmar and Bangladesh has often been disrupted because of the two points. .
Now Bangladesh is the land of 1 million Rohingya Refugee who is one of the most vulnerable communities in the world according to the UNHCR.
Bangladesh is a Developing country with the massive number of population. The GDP is not well enough for the country; it’s challenging for Bangladesh to feed the extra 1 million People. With around $1,358 GDP per capita, this little, developing nation is likewise exceptionally defenseless to environmental change. A portion of the most exceedingly awful flooding like Aila, Sidor in decades directly hit the coastal area of Bangladesh. The vast number of people will also create a social and environmental crisis for Bangladesh also.
Though the Government and the people of Bangladesh are welcoming the Rohingya for the name of humanity the 1 million people will become burden very quickly for poor Bangladesh.
Bangladesh and Myanmar both is the member of ASIAN and BIMSTEC. These regional organizations can play a vital role to solve the issue. The International authority should pressure on Myanmar Government and Military.
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