Re-establishing the Himalayan-South Asian connectivity can occur if political solutions can be found.
Bangladesh’s 271km border with Myanmar can play a strategic role as a potential trade corridor between the two
countries. However, at present, the area is militarized due to ongoing internal conflicts in Myanmar. Were this to be
resolved, Bangladesh could develop routes via Myanmar to access China to the east, the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) countries to the south, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to the west.
Cambodia is also close to Myanmar, with Thailand a neighboring state of both countries. Were the Rohingya conflict to be
resolved, Myanmar and other ASEAN countries could access South Asia through Bangladesh. If the
Bangladesh-Myanmar-Thailand-India trilateral highway project and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor were
integrated, ASEAN members could access the markets of Bangladesh, northern India, and the Himalayan countries of Bhutan,
and Nepal. Achieving improved ties between Bangladesh and Myanmar is therefore very important to develop strategic trade
and investment.
Myanmar can also use Bangladesh as a transportation route to reach markets such as Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Both
Bangladesh and Myanmar are members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC), an organization consisting of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand that seeks
to foster regional and economic cooperation. Other ASEAN nations, such as Cambodia should join BIMSTEC to utilize the
benefits.
With better access to the SAARC free-trade bloc through Bangladesh, Myanmar and other ASEAN nations would benefit in
boosting their own regional trade ties with India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.
There are signs that Myanmar and Bangladesh, with assistance and mediation, can resolve their disputes. Their maritime
borders have recently been defined through the International Court of Justice. As a result, the rights of Bangladesh
maritime assets have been established in an area of 111,000 square kilometers. Myanmar’s waters have also been properly
identified. Therefore, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and ASEAN have the potential to develop joint maritime projects in the Bay
of Bengal.
There is additional potential for trade through the proposed construction of the Asian Highway, funded by the Asian
Development Bank. This can increase land connectivity increase trade in products such as agriculture, aquaculture,
fertilizers, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and light manufacturing.Bangladesh’s ongoing cooperation with ASEAN members
Bangladesh already has bilateral cooperation with ASEAN members such as Cambodia. In 2010, the two countries agreed to
set up a joint commission for bilateral cooperation. Ten agreements signed in 2017 are expected to enhance bilateral
ties and strengthen economic cooperation between the two.
Bangladesh has proposed a long-term land cultivation agreement for farms and the country is also keen to sign a
long-term agreement to import rice from Cambodia. Both countries regularly conduct agricultural joint research.
Bangladesh has also provided assistance to Myanmar in the form of counter-terrorism training as well as COVID-19 vaccine
distribution. The Rohingya refugee problem has, however, continues to create tension between the two countries, and
finding the solution can serve the longer-term interests of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Cambodia can assist in this regard
through its good relations with Myanmar.
Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Cambodia can also increase joint investments in the agriculture sector, particularly for
products such as rice and spices. products including pulses, spices, fish, and rice. This, in turn, can enhance
trilateral relations and encourage trade and investments between ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries.