Relationship dossier
Bangladesh
Myanmar
Relationship assessment
Rohingya displacement and stalled repatriation dominate a strained Bangladesh–Myanmar relationship.
Bangladesh toward Myanmar
+10Bangladesh has pursued diplomatic negotiations with Myanmar over the return of Rohingya refugees, including agreeing to a bilateral repatriation arrangement. It has continued to press Myanmar to enable safe returns while hosting large numbers of refugees.
Myanmar toward Bangladesh
-55Myanmar’s military operations against the Rohingya drove large numbers of people into Bangladesh. Although Myanmar agreed to a bilateral repatriation framework, returns have not taken place at scale, leaving Bangladesh to bear a prolonged refugee burden.
Overall relationship
-40The relationship is shaped by a major and persistent dispute over Rohingya displacement and return. Bilateral negotiations have provided a channel for engagement, but they have not resolved the refugee crisis; Myanmar’s actions and the lack of large-scale safe repatriation have produced enduring strain.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Bangladesh and Myanmar have negotiated over Rohingya repatriation, including a bilateral arrangement, but safe and voluntary returns have not taken place at scale. Myanmar’s military operations drove large numbers of Rohingya into Bangladesh, creating a prolonged refugee crisis and straining relations. Bangladesh has pursued diplomatic efforts to secure repatriation while managing the humanitarian and security consequences.
Areas of tension
- Rohingya displacement into Bangladesh and the resulting refugee burden.
- The absence of large-scale safe and voluntary Rohingya repatriation.
- Border security concerns linked to instability in Myanmar.
Key developments
Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed to a bilateral arrangement for the return of Rohingya refugees.
Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed on a framework for beginning Rohingya repatriation.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral repatriation arrangements remain unclear.
- The extent of current bilateral cooperation on border security is uncertain.