Roundtable Discussion on "Geopolitics of the Bay of Bengal and The Future of Bangladesh-Myanmar Relations"

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a roundtable discussion titled “Geopolitics of the Bay of Bengal and the Future of Bangladesh-Myanmar Relations” on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, at the BIISS Auditorium, Dhaka.

Brigadier General (Retd) M. Sakhawat Hussain, Honourable Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, attended the event as the Chief Guest. The session was chaired and moderated by Ambassador A. F. M. Gousal Azam Sarkar, Chairman of BIISS.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by Major General Iftekhar Anis, BSP, awc, afwc, psc, PEng, Director General of BIISS. In his remarks, he underscored the growing strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal in the evolving regional geopolitical landscape and highlighted the significance of fostering constructive Bangladesh–Myanmar relations for ensuring regional stability, maritime security, economic connectivity, and sustainable development.

The roundtable brought together policymakers, diplomats, security experts, academics, researchers, and representatives from relevant government agencies to discuss the changing geopolitical dynamics of the Bay of Bengal and their implications for Bangladesh–Myanmar relations. Participants exchanged views on maritime security, regional power competition, trade and connectivity, the Rohingya crisis, and opportunities for bilateral and regional cooperation, while emphasising the importance of dialogue, mutual trust, and collaborative engagement in addressing shared challenges and advancing peace and prosperity in the region.