Bangladesh has called on Myanmar to address the ongoing crisis in the Rakhine state and its borders, stressing that it cannot engage in negotiations with non-state actors, such as the Arakan Army.
According to a BSS report, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed this message to Myanmar during an informal consultation held on Thursday in Thailand.
He also emphasised that peace and stability in the region would remain elusive without a resolution to the Rohingya crisis.
Senior representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, China, Laos, and other nations attended the consultation focused on Myanmar.
Foreign Adviser told the reporters that he informed Myanmar that the border is no longer under its control. Non-state actors like the Arakan Army are controlling it.
“As a state, we cannot engage with them. Myanmar must find a way to resolve the issues related to the border and Rakhine,” he added.
In reply, Myanmar said they are trying to regain border control.
He also said that the meeting focused on a few key issues regarding Myanmar, including the border, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and its political future.
On Myanmar’s political future, he said that all participants supported its efforts to resolve internal issues and move forward.
“Everyone said they would support Myanmar, and if they choose a federal structure, we will not intervene. But we want a resolution,” Touhid said.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsar chaired the meeting on Thursday. Other attendees included Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe, Laos’s Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu.
Cox’s Bazar Life Desk/BSS
