Bangladesh-Burma relations
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| Map indicating location of Bangladesh and Burma | |
| Bangladesh | Burma |
The neighboring countries of Bangladesh and Burma (officially, Myanmar) currently have a ambiguous bilateral relationship. Tensions exist between the two countries due to border disputes and the presence of over 270,000 Burmese Muslim refugees in Bangladesh.[1] Bilateral ties with Myanmar are good, despite occasional border strains and an influx of more than 270,000 Muslim refugees (known as "Rohingya") from predominantly Buddhist Burma. As a result of bilateral discussions, and with the cooperation and assistance of the UNHCR, most of the Rohingya refugees have now returned to Burma[source?]. As of 2000, about 22,000 refugees remain in camps in southern Bangladesh.
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.[2]
Both countries discussed the possibility of linking the two countries together in an attempt to boost their trade and commerce relations. The estimate to complete the 25 km highway is three years and at the cost of $20 million. Another aspect of this plan is to connect the highway to the Asian Superhighway which would connect the two countries to China.[3]
[change] References
- ↑ "Background Note: Bangladesh". Background notes. U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3452.htm. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
- ↑ Bangladesh, Myanmar pledge to resolve disputes over maritime borders - Irna
- ↑ http://www.bangladeshjournal.com/article/Bangladesh/15/
