Dhaka, Nov 16 (V7N)- Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain highlighted today that apart from Bangladesh, three major global players— the United States, India, and China—have distinct strategic interests in the Bay of Bengal.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka, Touhid noted the critical role the Bay plays for Bangladesh due to its resources, global access, and broader issues, including the unresolved Rohingya crisis.

“There is an inherent struggle for dominance in the region,” he remarked, emphasizing that while Bangladesh prioritizes a resolution to the Rohingya issue, major powers like India and China have their own geopolitical interests that complicate the matter.

Challenges in Resolving the Rohingya Crisis
Touhid expressed concern over the lack of substantial support from neighboring countries, including India and China, in resolving the crisis. Bangladesh currently hosts over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.

"There is no light at the end of the tunnel," he said, attributing the stalemate to competing national interests. China, for instance, values its strategic relationship with Myanmar for Bay of Bengal access, while India focuses on the Kaladan project, which requires maintaining favorable ties with Myanmar.

“Bangladesh has been caught in the crosshairs of competing geopolitical interests,” he added, stressing the need for a more unified international approach to address the crisis.

Future Implications
Touhid warned of the growing frustration among Rohingya youth, who may become a significant problem for the region and beyond if no resolution is reached. “They are unlikely to remain idle forever,” he cautioned.

Bay of Bengal Conversation 2024
The remarks were made during the 3rd edition of the Bay of Bengal Conversation (BOBC) 2024, organized by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS). The conference, titled "A Fractured World," has drawn over 200 speakers and 800 participants from more than 80 countries, making it the largest event hosted by CGS to date.

CGS Chair Munira Khan and Executive Director Zillur Rahman also spoke at the event, underscoring its significance in addressing pressing geopolitical challenges.

END/MSS/AJ