Bangladesh opens cautious talks with Arakan Army

The Irrawaddy

Bangladesh has taken a pragmatic step towards stabilising its troubled frontier with Myanmar, engaging directly with the Arakan Army (AA) after the release of 73 fishermen detained in Rakhine waters. The handover, carried out with official documentation and coordination between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the AA, marks a rare moment of order in a region scarred by conflict.

For Dhaka, the move is less about recognition than necessity. Since late 2023, the AA has dismantled the Myanmar military’s presence along the 271-kilometre border, leaving the junta reliant on airstrikes to maintain influence. With Rakhine effectively under AA control, Bangladesh has little choice but to deal with the group if it wants to manage border security and humanitarian issues.

The AA’s commander, Tun Myat Naing, recently sent a congratulatory letter to Bangladesh’s new foreign minister, Khalilur Rahman, expressing hope for “practical and sustainable solutions” and a “strategic partnership”. Dhaka insists this is not formal diplomacy, but the exchange signals a shift: border management now requires direct communication with the AA rather than Naypyitaw.

The fishermen’s release illustrates how functional cooperation can work. Fishing disputes along the Naf River have long been flashpoints, but by processing the case through formal channels, the AA demonstrated a willingness to resolve tensions procedurally rather than through confrontation.

The potential prize is a regulated “strategic corridor” linking Bangladesh and Rakhine. With Myanmar’s military blockade choking off supplies, Bangladesh offers the most logical route for fuel, medicine and consumer goods. For Dhaka, a stable Rakhine could become a lucrative market for construction materials, agricultural technology and pharmaceuticals. Crucially, legal trade could also undercut the drug smuggling networks that thrive when borders are closed.

Security, however, remains the foundation. Armed groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) continue to exploit instability. Analysts argue that a four-pillar system—direct de-escalation channels, maritime licensing, intelligence sharing and joint monitoring of cargo—will be needed to prevent the corridor from becoming a new flashpoint.

The Rohingya crisis looms large. Bangladesh hosts 1.3 million refugees in Cox’s Bazar, and any long-term partnership with the AA depends on credible guarantees for Muslim communities in Rakhine. Transparent, voluntary repatriation would not only ease Bangladesh’s burden but also bolster the AA’s claim to legitimacy.

For now, necessity has brought Dhaka and the AA to the table. Whether this fragile opening can evolve into lasting stability will depend on sustained communication, transparency and a commitment to protect civilians on both sides of the Naf River.

-2026-03-06