The New Nation - Internet Edition

MYANMAR yesterday moved troops along Bangladesh border heightening tension. On November 1 it sent four warships and started exploration of oil and gas within 50 nautical miles south-west of St. Martin's Island. The Bangladesh government strongly protested the violation of its territorial waters, asked Myanmar to stop the drilling and sent a high level delegation to Myanmar. But the two countries failed to come to an understanding. Bangladesh and Myanmar's war ships are still positioned in the area.

These incidents took place at a time when efforts have been made to strengthen bilateral co-operation between the two neighbours. Only a couple of months ago, Myanmar did assure Bangladesh not to embark on any drilling in the disputed zone and resolution of differences through talks. In April both the countries agreed to continue with dialogue. The next meeting is due to be held this month.

In 2006 Myanmar had encroached eighteen thousand square kilometres into Bangladesh territorial waters. India has also encroached upon nineteen thousand square kilometres. The dispute on maritime boundary between Bangladesh and Myanmar, and Bangladesh and India is complex as it involves many legal issues and international instruments. But Bangladesh's effort fell short of resolving the long-standing crises. Myanmar and India are going to file their claims to the UN in May and June 2009 respectively. But Bangladesh is yet to decide on a time frame to file its claim. The Exclusive Economic Zones extends over 200 nautical miles under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Alongside bilateral efforts with the neighbours, Bangladesh should engage its diplomatic channels to take the issue not jointly to the UN but also to regional forums.