DE News Desk :
National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman has categorically dismissed any possibility of granting a transit corridor to Myanmar through Bangladesh, stating that no such discussions have taken place, nor are any being considered.
“There has been no dialogue with anyone on allowing a ‘corridor’ to Myanmar through our territory, and we have no intention of engaging in such talks,” Dr. Rahman told reporters at a media briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Tuesday.
He clarified that the ongoing discussions with the United Nations are solely focused on facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid—limited to food and medicine—to Myanmar’s Rakhine State, which is currently grappling with a worsening humanitarian crisis.
“If aid is to be sent through Bangladesh, we will ensure strict border security and conduct thorough scrutiny of all aid items,” said the security adviser, adding that the aid would be managed entirely by the UN and sourced from existing allocations for Rohingya refugees currently sheltered in Bangladesh.
Dr. Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh would only consider allowing aid delivery through its territory if there is clear evidence that groups such as the Arakan Army are not engaged in or supporting ethnic cleansing.
Responding to a question, he firmly rejected any suggestion that Bangladesh is under international pressure to grant such a corridor.
“We are not under pressure from any country—not even the United States,” he said.
Highlighting the immense burden Bangladesh continues to bear, Dr. Rahman reiterated that the country currently hosts over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who were forcibly displaced from Myanmar.
“Our focus remains on the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland,” he stressed. “They must return and remain in Myanmar.”
Addressing speculation, Dr. Rahman dismissed any claims of miscommunication among government institutions, saying there is close coordination between the National Security Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Bangladesh Army.
He noted that the idea of a ‘corridor’ appeared first in the media of a neighboring country, but no credible international discussions have taken place on the matter.
“There was no meaningful global discussion on the Rohingya issue for the past seven years. It had become a dead issue,” Dr. Rahman remarked. “This interim government has now brought the issue back to the global agenda.”
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were also present at the briefing.