BSS, Dhaka

Dhaka needs to engage with Arakan Army, which now controls over 80 percent of Rakhine State, including the 271-km border between Bangladesh and Myanmar, said security experts, former diplomats, and academics yesterday.

The call was made during a policy dialogue on “Rakhine after the Fall of Maungdaw: Implications for Bangladesh and the Region,” organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) at a city hotel.

BIPSS President Major General (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman moderated the discussion, with former Defence Attaché to Myanmar and former Ambassador to Libya Major General (retd) Md Shahidul Haque, and East-West University Assistant Professor Parvez Karim Abbasi serving as panelists.

“I believe it’s high time to engage diplomatically with the Arakan Army,” said Abbasi. “This is a standard procedure in many cases, but we should also keep our military options open.”

He suggested that if direct communication with a non-state actor like the Arakan Army isn’t possible, Bangladesh should explore all informal channels to establish contact.

Abbasi also warned that the Arakan Army’s control of Rakhine could escalate insurgency risks in India’s northeastern states.

Muniruzzaman emphasised the need for Bangladesh to formulate a clear strategy for dealing with the complex situation in Rakhine.

Referring to India’s approach, Muniruzzaman said although New Delhi has historically maintained close ties with Myanmar’s junta, it appears to be recalibrating its strategy to engage with the Arakan Army due to the shifting dynamics in Rakhine.

Major General (retd) Haque described engagement with the Arakan Army as a potential “win-win situation” for Bangladesh, which could benefit not only security but also economic interests.

He pointed out that the Arakan Army’s dominance in Rakhine has created a complex situation for India, potentially presenting a strategic opportunity for Bangladesh.

“This is an opportunity for us… for the first time, we are in the driver’s seat, especially in negotiating our interests with India,” Haque said.

Last week, in Thailand, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain urged Myanmar to address ongoing border and Rakhine issues, reiterating that Dhaka cannot engage with non-state actors such as the Arakan Army.