Dhaka in Dialogue with Naypyidaw and Arakan Army

Dhaka, Bangladesh | May 1, 2025 — In a significant development on the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has confirmed that Dhaka is engaging in talks with both Myanmar’s military junta in Naypyidaw and the Arakan Army (AA), the armed group that now controls large areas of Rakhine State.

The discussions are centered around promoting peace in the conflict-affected Rakhine region, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and setting conditions for the future repatriation of Rohingya refugees. The news was first reported by The Daily Star and later covered by Arakan Now.

“We want to support the United Nations in delivering humanitarian aid. This can contribute to peace in Rakhine and help create favorable conditions for the safe return of the Rohingya,” Adviser Rahman stated.

According to Rahman, a humanitarian corridor is being planned in coordination with the UN to allow aid to reach affected populations in Rakhine State, including displaced civilians. He emphasized that the effort would be under UN monitoring and that Dhaka is fully committed to transparency in the process.

“The talks are ongoing. We will inform the nation at the appropriate time,” he added.

Khalilur Rahman, who also serves as the chief government representative on Rohingya affairs, further revealed that the UN is preparing to hold a high-level meeting on the Rohingya crisis in New York this September. The meeting aims to bring renewed global attention and coordinated action to the humanitarian and political dimensions of the crisis.

Earlier, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain echoed similar sentiments, confirming Bangladesh’s support for the UN-led humanitarian initiative “in principle,” while noting that certain conditions and clarifications are still under discussion.

A spokesperson from the UN office in Dhaka also commented on the matter, stating: “Any cross-border aid from Bangladesh to Myanmar must be agreed upon by both governments. Without legal permission, the UN cannot operate in such capacity.”

The backdrop to these talks is a worsening situation in Rakhine State, where thousands have been displaced amid intense fighting between Myanmar’s military forces and the Arakan Army. Both the Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine populations are caught in the crossfire, with growing reports of abuses, forced displacement, and limited access to basic services.

Observers note that Bangladesh’s engagement with both state and non-state actors in Myanmar marks a pragmatic shift aimed at unlocking humanitarian channels and pushing forward the stalled Rohingya repatriation agenda.

Rohingya Vision News