Diplomatist Magazine Annual Edition 2018 | Page 25

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist Knowledge Partner was essen*ally this considera*on that led Bangladesh to adopt a policy of push back at the border to deter Rohingyas from entering Bangladesh. To aQract interna*onal aQen*on, Bangladesh raised the issue of the Rohingyas at the UN. During the annual UN General Assembly in September 2017, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for interna*onal aQen*on. She also urged for a permanent solu*on to the condi*on of Rohingyas in Myanmar and presented a five-point agenda in this regard. It is noteworthy that Bangladesh did not designate a special envoy Another concern that led for this purpose and relied mostly Bangladesh to demand an on its diplomats posted both in the foreign ministry and in various urgent solu@on to the missions abroad. problem is that Myanmar Ini*ally, in August 2017, Bangladesh was reluctant to open its borders and followed the policy of push back. The country was compelled to open its border due to public pressure. The government could not overlook the heightened public sen*ment on the issue within Bangladesh. Many have termed the recent incidents of violence as genocides. The intensity of public sen*ment could be sensed from the demand made by some sec*ons of the society for military ac*on against Myanmar. However, demonstra*ng prudence, the government of Bangladesh choose diplomacy as the favoured op*on. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was categorical about her preference for a diploma*c solu*on. does not recognise The major impact of Bangladesh’s Rohingyas as its ci@zens. diplomacy was the worldwide In fact, Myanmar regards condemna*on of Myanmar for violence in Rakhine State. Another them as migrants from significant outcome was the UN Bangladesh. resolu*on on the Rohingya issue. Ad d i * o n a l l y, t h e Eu ro p e a n Parliament passed a resolu*on in support of the Rohingyas. The leader of Myanmar’s ruling Na*onal League for Democracy party and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was widely cri*cised for her government's inac*on. The interna*onal community's reac*on towards conflicts in Rakhine State was lukewarm in the beginning. Dhaka's efforts played a key role in raising awareness about the problem. The country made special outreach efforts to powers like India, China, Russia, the US and EU. One of the first fruits of its efforts came in form of India’s massive relief assistance for refugees in Bangladesh, one of the first by another country, which was followed by a statement on the ouklow of refugees in Bangladesh. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Myanmar that took place soon ajer the 25 August incident, India condemned the acts of terrorism in Myanmar but refrained from a statement on the exodus of refugees. India issued a statement on the Rohingya exodus ajer Bangladesh’s high commissioner to India met India’s foreign secretary and explained the ground situa*on in the Bangladesh context. The change in China's posi*on too is considered an achievement. China and Myanmar enjoy close bilateral rela*ons. During the years of Myanmar’s isola*on, China was among the very few countries with whom it had diploma*c rela*ons. Beijing has developed deep economic *es with Naypyidaw and is developing several infrastructure projects in the country including a few in Rakhine State. Ini*ally, China refrained from taking any stand on the Rohingya issue. China's role became significant because it had, backed by Russia, opposed discussing the issue at the UN in March 2017. Some media reports claimed that Bangladesh's foreign secretary met the Chinese envoy in Bangladesh to support the UN resolu*on on the Rohingyas. The success of the country’s efforts in wooing China could be assumed from the Chinese foreign minister's visits to Bangladesh and Myanmar in November 2017 during which he discussed the Rohingya issue with the two countries. To aQract interna*onal aQen*on, Bangladesh raised the issue of the Rohingyas at the UN. During the annual UN General Assembly in September Pressed by the interna*onal community, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement in November 2017 for facilita*ng the repatria*on of the Rohingyas. In January 2018, the two countries also agreed on the procedures for the return of the Rohingyas, which is likely to be completed in two years. Opinions are divided about the actual number of Rohingyas who will return given how the agreement contains a clause that the refugees need to produce proof of residence in Myanmar which some say very few will be able to provide. The authen*city of the claims and concerns will become evident in the future, but for the moment it is a posi*ve step forward. Image 8: Rohingya refugees stream into neighbouring Bangladesh following persecuLon in Myanmar 14