Editing Foreign relations of Myanmar (section)

==Bangladesh==
{{main|Bangladesh–Myanmar relations}}
Historical relations between Myanmar and Bangladesh include centuries of trade, cultural interactions and migration between the kingdoms and empires of [[Bengal]] and the kingdoms of Burma, particularly [[Rakhine State|Arakan]]. Most prominently this is visible in the Indic Buddhist culture of Burma that was transmitted often through Bengal resulting in the imprint of Indian (inclusive of Bengali) culture and civilization currently found in Myanmar. The two nations also share a heritage of colonial commerce during the [[British Empire]]. The Bengali community in Myanmar is present in [[Yangon]] and the Rakhine. In Bangladesh, a large population of Burmese ancestry resides in [[Chittagong]] and southeastern hill districts, including [[Rakhine people|Rakhines]] and [[Marma people|Bohmong]], as well as Burmese-Bengalis. After the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] in 1971, Burma became one of the first countries to recognise the independence of Bangladesh.

However, the relationship between two countries deteriorated under [[Ziaur Rahman]] of Bangladesh. In April 1978, a large number of Rohingya refugees suddenly started arriving in Bangladesh. About 200,000 refugees arrived and took shelter during the month of June. In May 1979, [[President of Myanmar|Burmese president]] [[Ne Win]] visited Bangladesh. During his visit, the demarcation agreement between the two countries was signed on May 23. Towards the end of Rahman's presidency, Win and Rahman visited back and forth.<ref>{{cite book|first=Muhammad|last=Mahbubur Rahman|title=BCS Bangladesh Affairs|publisher=Lion Muhammad Gias Uddin|publication-date= July 2011|volume=I & II|page= 94 (Vol. II)|language=bn}}</ref>

The presence of 270,000 [[Islam in Myanmar|Burmese Muslim]] refugees ([[Rohingya people]]) in southern Bangladesh have often caused irritants in bilateral relations, which are generally cordial. A 40-year maritime boundary dispute in the [[Bay of Bengal]] was resolved by the two countries at a UN tribunal in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2012/04/26/bangladesh-and-myanmar-resolve-longstanding-maritime-dispute/ |title=Bangladesh and Myanmar resolve longstanding maritime dispute |date=26 April 2012 |publisher=East Asia Forum |access-date=6 October 2012 |archive-date=7 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113008/http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2012/04/26/bangladesh-and-myanmar-resolve-longstanding-maritime-dispute/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bangladesh has sought transit rights through Myanmar, to establish connectivity with China and [[ASEAN]] through projects such as the proposed [[Chittagong]]-[[Mandalay]]-[[Kunming]] highway.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ties with Myanmar can grow to new heights |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=239779 |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=26 June 2012}}</ref> The governments of both countries are also in discussions on the possible export of Burmese gas to Bangladesh, as well as setting up a joint hydroelectric power plant in [[Rakhine State]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvb.no/news/bangladeshi-pm-in-push-for-gas-imports/18944 |title=Bangladeshi PM in push for Burma gas &#124; Democratic Voice of Burma |publisher=Dvb.no |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101040551/http://www.dvb.no/news/bangladeshi-pm-in-push-for-gas-imports/18944 |archive-date=1 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The political class and civil society of Bangladesh often voiced support for Myanmar's pro-democracy struggle. In 2006 a petition by 500 Bangladeshi politicians and intellectuals, including [[Sheikh Hasina]] and [[Kamal Hossain]], expressed support for [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] and called for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.secularvoiceofbangladesh.org/Aung_San_suu.htm |title=Aun San Suu Kyi |publisher=Secularvoiceofbangladesh.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529154000/http://www.secularvoiceofbangladesh.org/Aung_San_suu.htm |archive-date=29 May 2012}}</ref> After winning elections in 2008, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her position on Burma's pro-democracy struggle, calling for an end to the detention of Suu Kyi and Burmese political prisoners.<ref>[http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=121792&cid=30]{{dead link|date=February 2013}}</ref> The [[Democratic Voice of Burma]] radio station operates bureaus in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Despite border (both territorial and nautical) tensions and the forced migration of 270,000 [[Rohingya people|Rohingya]] Muslims from [[Buddhist]] Burma in 1978, relations with [[Bangladesh]] have generally been cordial, albeit somewhat tense at times.

Many Rohingya refugees, not recognised as a sanctioned ethnic group and allegedly suffering abuse from the Burmese authorities,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7872635.stm What drives the Rohingya to sea?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209111106/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7872635.stm |date=9 February 2009 }}. BBC News Onlnine. 5 February 2009</ref> remain in Bangladesh, and have been threatened with forced [[repatriation]] to Myanmar.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8109135.stm Concern over Bangladesh refugees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125130748/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8109135.stm |date=25 January 2021 }}. BBC News Online. 19 June 2009</ref> There are about 28,000 documented refugees remaining in camps in southern Bangladesh.<ref>[http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,IRIN,,BGD,,491946b8c,0.html Bangladesh: Rohingya refugee camps improved] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429004742/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,IRIN,,BGD,,491946b8c,0.html |date=29 April 2011 }}. United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). 7 November 2008</ref>

At the 2008 ASEAN Regional forum summit in Singapore, Bangladesh and Myanmar have pledged to solve their [[maritime boundary]] disputes as quickly as possible especially that a UN deadline in claiming maritime territories will expire in three years time.<ref>[http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0807248083191800.htm Bangladesh, Burma pledge to resolve disputes over maritime borders] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619212401/http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0807248083191800.htm |date=19 June 2013 }}. IRNA.</ref> However, in late 2008, Myanmar sent in ships into disputed waters in the Bay of Bengal for the exploration of oil and natural gas.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7706261.stm Bangladesh and Burma in oil row] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106153429/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7706261.stm |date=6 November 2008 }}. BBC News Online. 3 November 2008</ref> Bangladesh responded by sending in three warships to the area and diplomatically pursued efforts to pressure the Burmese junta to withdraw their own ships.<ref>[http://www.narinjara.com/details.asp?id=1957 Bangladesh Sends Three Navy Ships to Border Dispute] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401205601/http://www.narinjara.com/details.asp?id=1957 |date=1 April 2012 }}. Narinjara News. 4 November 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1104/p99s01-duts.html Bangladesh–Burma (Myanmar) maritime boundary dispute escalates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324043952/http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1104/p99s01-duts.html |date=24 March 2009 }}. ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''. 4 November 2008</ref> During the crisis Myanmar deployed thousands of troops on its border with Bangladesh. However, following the Bangladeshi deployment, within a week the ships withdrew and the crisis ended.<ref>[http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/2185-burma-and-bangladesh-agree-to-boost-ties.html Burma and Bangladesh agree to boost ties] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530170508/http://mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/2185-burma-and-bangladesh-agree-to-boost-ties.html |date=30 May 2013 }}. [[Mizzima News]]. 25 May 2008</ref>

Myanmar has an embassy in [[Dhaka]], whilst Bangladesh has an embassy in [[Yangon]] and a consular office in [[Sittwe]]. Bangladesh is also one of the first countries to begin constructing a diplomatic mission in [[Nay Pyi Taw]].