Foreign Adviser: Bangladesh Backs Myanmar’s Federal Structure Proposal

Staff Correspondent

Dhaka: Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh will support Myanmar in resolving border issues and addressing challenges involving non-state actors like the Arakan Army. Speaking to journalists in Dhaka on Sunday, December 22, after attending an informal consultation meeting in Thailand, he stressed the need for Myanmar to resolve the Rakhine situation and secure its borders.

Touhid Hossain stated that Bangladesh, as a sovereign state, cannot negotiate with non-state actors controlling parts of Myanmar’s border areas. “We told Myanmar that their borders are not under their control. We cannot negotiate with non-state actors. It is up to Myanmar to decide how they will address the issues at their borders and in Rakhine,” he said.

The consultation meeting was chaired by Thailand’s Foreign Minister Marise Sangiamphongsa and attended by Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Soe, Laos’ Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Bangladesh was represented by Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.

Touhid highlighted three main issues discussed during the meeting: border control, drug and arms trafficking, and human trafficking. Myanmar’s political future and current challenges were also addressed. “Everyone wants to support Myanmar. Some believe a federal structure is the solution. But no one expects Myanmar to return to its pre-crisis state within three or five years,” he added.

He also mentioned that border discussions focused on northeastern, southern, and western areas, including regions where Bangladesh has vested interests. Concerns were raised about crime hotspots and drug trafficking along the border. “We asked Myanmar to take appropriate measures regarding these issues,” he noted.

Touhid reported that 60,000 Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh over the past two months. He informed participants that without resolving the Rohingya crisis, peace and stability in the region would remain unattainable. “Criminal activities in camps and across the border must also be addressed,” he warned.

Other participating nations expressed interest in Myanmar’s potential transition to a federal structure. However, the meeting underscored the urgency of tackling border crimes and stabilizing the region to ensure long-term peace.