Not humanitarian corridor, Dhaka opts for ‘strategic caution’ in sending aid to Rakhine

Amid the ongoing bloodshed and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, Bangladesh has responded positively to the idea of delivering aid, albeit cautiously. While the term “humanitarian corridor” remains contentious, Dhaka is currently adopting a position of “cautious optimism” about allowing international assistance to reach Rakhine via its border.

Foreign ministry officials in Dhaka clarified that Bangladesh is not opening any formal corridor. Rather, it views the process as a “cooperative arrangement” to facilitate aid delivery to Rakhine through international organizations.

“This is not a corridor—we deliberately avoid using that politically sensitive term,” a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Views Bangladesh. “Our primary objective is to allow aid to reach affected populations under specific conditions and with controlled border access.”

The government has outlined three key preconditions before any aid operation can proceed: Effective security assurance within Rakhine, Aid distribution under the supervision of the UN or a neutral body, and Guarantees that Bangladesh’s sovereignty and national security will not be compromised.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said that any cross-border relief delivery requires the consent of both countries. While Bangladesh has expressed openness, Myanmar has yet to provide a clear signal.

Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the BNP, has criticized the move, calling it a potential security risk. “Strategic decisions of this magnitude cannot be made without national consensus,” said the party’s Secretary General. “Such actions may complicate border dynamics and disrupt the Rohingya repatriation process.”

Concerns are also growing among residents in border districts like Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf, and Ukhiya. A local elected representative warned, “If more refugees arrive from Rakhine, we may lose control of the situation. It will intensify both security and environmental pressures.”

Rohingya community leaders have urged the UN to establish an international “safe zone” in Rakhine. “Yes, we need aid—but not without dignity and security,” they stated. “Food alone won’t solve the problem.”

Amid political debate over the so-called humanitarian corridor, National Security Adviser Khairul Rahman dismissed the speculation as baseless. “People are asking why the government isn’t addressing the corridor issue—but how can we comment on something that doesn’t exist?” he said.

Explaining further, he added, “A humanitarian corridor is typically used to evacuate people from a disaster zone. In this case, no one is being evacuated. The UN merely asked for assistance to be sent into Rakhine through the Bangladesh border because other routes are inaccessible.”

Experts view the aid initiative as a humanitarian gesture layered with strategic and political complexities. Bangladesh’s geopolitical positioning in Southeast Asia, the China-India regional rivalry, and Myanmar’s internal conflict all converge to make this a highly sensitive issue.

While the government’s intent and humanitarian responsibility are commendable, many warn that without a clear strategy, such initiatives could trigger unforeseen consequences.

Before any final decision is made, it is crucial to consider local concerns, build political consensus, secure international support, and assess the country’s capacity for implementation.