No agreement signed on corridor: Security Adviser

Bangladesh has not signed any agreement regarding a UN-supervised humanitarian corridor for delivering aid to Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State, clarified National Security Adviser and Chief Adviser’s High Representative on Rohingya Affairs, Dr Khalilur Rahman.

Speaking at a seminar titled "Repatriation of Rohingyas in Bangladesh: Implications for Regional Security and the Way Forward", held on Sunday (May 4) at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Dr. Rahman said only preliminary discussions on the matter had taken place.

He further stated, “The government has not signed any agreement on a humanitarian corridor. Some media outlets in neighboring countries are irresponsibly spreading false rumors that Bangladesh is engaging in a proxy war in Arakan on behalf of the United States. Such narratives are unacceptable.”

Dr. Rahman asserted that Rohingyas will never be granted Bangladeshi citizenship, as doing so would turn the country into a “dumping ground” for neighboring nations.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain also addressed the seminar.

Last month, in response to a journalist’s question, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said, “In principle, we agree to the humanitarian corridor because it would be used to deliver aid. But we have some conditions, which I won’t go into. If those are met, we are certainly open to cooperating under UN supervision.”

Following these remarks, debates and concerns arose about the security implications of allowing such a corridor through Bangladesh. Just two days after the Foreign Adviser’s comments, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam issued a clarification, saying: “The government has not held any discussions with the UN or any other agency regarding a so-called humanitarian corridor. No decision has been made about sending humanitarian aid to Rakhine. However, if an initiative is taken under UN leadership, Bangladesh is prepared to provide logistical support. We are maintaining communication with relevant parties and will consult domestic stakeholders in due time.”

Amid this controversy, a spokesperson for the UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka stated last Wednesday that if humanitarian assistance is to be sent through Bangladesh to Rakhine, both Bangladeshi and Myanmar government approval is required. Without these permissions, the UN's involvement would be limited.