Bangladesh and its neighbours
Myanmar is strategically situated to take the advantages of competition and cooperation between China and India over oil and gas resources. Both China and India are seeking to control the Indian Ocean for strategic military and economic reasons. The United States has been trying to militarise the region on the ground of fighting possible terrorist attacks and has already established an airbase on Banda Ache, Indonesia. Apprehending that the US is hell-bent on a unilateral militarisation of the entire region from the Middle East oil fields to the Strait of Malacca, Beijing has stepped up its engagement in Myanmar. The Strait of Malacca, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is the shortest sea route between the Persian Gulf and China. Myanmar also presents a possible supply route for oil and other commodities for China. An oil pipeline linking Myanmar's deep-water port of Kyaukpyu with Kunming in China's Yunnan province was approved by Beijing in 2006. China is also Myanmar's most important defence ally, providing most of its military hardware and training.
In order to counter the increased Chinese influence on Myanmar, India has been trying to strengthen its ties with its eastern neighbour. It is spending millions of dollars to fund different projects in Myanmar which carry strategic significance for India. India is especially worried about the “maritime encirclement of India”, with the Chinese bases at Gwadar in Pakistan and at Coco Island in Myanmar. India has been building up its military strength for a long time to close the gap with China. Recently, India has also started pursuing closer relations with the United States.
Taking into account the above realities in international relations, Bangladesh needs to develop cautiously and efficiently its own policies and programmes to safeguard its vital national interests when dealing with the neighbours.
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