Expanding its influence in the Indo-Pacific region will not be easy for Australia, especially with Bangladesh as a focal point. Bangladesh is prioritizing the Rohingya issue in its foreign relations these days. Australia has yet to take a strong step in resolving the Bangladesh issue. Compared to the latter, Australia seems to be more interested in supporting Indo-Pacific countries because of their territorial integrity, democratic values, human rights, freedom of navigation and overflight, and peaceful conflict resolution. Australia is committed to increasing the capacity of these countries to address maritime security threats, climate change, and cybercrime, as well as to combat human trafficking.
The Bangladesh-Australia Ministerial Dialogue in May 2024 shows Australia’s interest in expanding its relationship with Bangladesh. During this discussion, the ministers indicated productive discussions at the Indian Maritime Summit held in Perth in 2024 and Dhaka in 2023. They also noted their continued cooperation within regional forums, such as the Indo-Pacific Outlook of the Indian Ocean Rim Association and ASEAN. Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
Australia is taking real-world steps to strengthen these relationships. Trade between the two countries has increased by 600 percent over the past decade, reaching A$2.8 billion by 2023. Bangladesh is 25th Australia’s largest export market. At a recent ministerial meeting, ministers reiterated the importance of skills development and training to promote inclusive economic growth. Australia has announced A$3 million in funding to support technical and vocational training for Bangladeshi youth. Ministers reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to capacity building in Bangladesh; in partnership with UNDP, Australia provided technical assistance and policy support to develop an inclusive social security system strategy. To further develop this bilateral relationship, the National Security College at ANU has recommended that Australia establish military education opportunities in Bangladesh, including fielding a Defense Adviser.
Australia’s increasing focus on the Indo-Pacific region, particularly Bangladesh, is largely driven by China’s rapidly increasing influence in the region. China’s control over the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, its access to the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar, and its indirect control over the Karachi port are already evident. In recent years, China has been determined to have a strong base in the Bay of Bengal, and because of this, it is eager to establish its active presence on the coast of Bangladesh, especially in the offshore area near the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh. The Quad, which includes Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, is determined to prevent this. India in particular opposes any significant military presence in the Bay of Bengal.
It is important to note that, like the United States, China wants to control major trade routes around the world and is moving steadily toward that goal. Against this Chinese ambition in the Pacific Ocean region, Australia allocates its resources to support India’s interests, as it has few options. Additionally, Australia aims to keep Bangladesh out of China’s reach to protect its interest and control over the region. China’s successful presence in this sea area will reduce Australia’s choice to maintain its trade through this sea and weaken its influence in Oceanian countries such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Australia has recognized the generosity of the Bangladeshi government and its people in hosting Rohingyas forcibly displaced from Myanmar. The Albanian government has committed 235 million dollars from 2023 to 2025 to help meet the needs of these refugees in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Bangladesh expects more than this support from Australia.
Bangladesh badly needs the Rohingyas to return to Myanmar. Managing the Rohingya camps, currently the largest refugee camps in the world, poses a huge burden. As of September 2023, approximately 965467 registered Rohingyas live in two large camps in Cox’s Bazar district, an area most vulnerable to natural disasters. About a million people are trapped in these overcrowded camps with no means of livelihood and limited access to health care and education. Doctors Without Borders, who have experience of working in these camps for more than a decade, described the containment policies as ‘destroying hope and continuing harm’.
Despite pressure from the UN and other organizations, the Bangladeshi government recently resettled more than 20000 Rohingya refugees on the remote island of Bhashan Char. This decision has put the government in a tense situation, as many international organizations are not willing to work on the island. In addition, the desperate efforts of refugees on the island to escape by sea increase the chances of regional insecurity.
Bangladesh cannot simply send over a million Rohingyas back to their country. The principle of non-refoulement, widely regarded as part of international humanitarian law, prevents states from returning refugees to a place where they may face persecution. Instead, Bangladesh can try to increase its allies to pressure the current military regime in Myanmar to facilitate the return of its citizens. Bangladesh would greatly appreciate Australia’s help in this matter, especially since China, with the support of Russia, has blocked meaningful efforts to address the ill-treatment of the Rohingya in Myanmar in the UN Security Council by using its veto power. Australia can play an important role in building a coalition against China’s support for the current Myanmar regime. Using the influence and power of the Quad countries, Australia can effectively hold the Myanmar government accountable and create a safe environment for the Rohingya to begin returning home. Australia could clearly lobby for tougher sanctions from the USA and insist its neighbor, Indonesia – the world’s largest Muslim-majority country – stand firm with ASEAN countries to condemn the actions of the Tatmadaw.
Australia has an opportunity to reduce the suffering of the Rohingya in Bangladesh by reducing pressure on the Bangladeshi government through effective assistance for Rohingya asylum seekers. Recently, Australia prioritized the processing of humanitarian visas for Myanmar nationals, acknowledging the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. However, this does not directly reflect the needs of the Rohingya who have already been displaced from their homes. Between 2009 and 2022, approximately 500 visas were granted under the Humanitarian Program to people who identify as Rohingya. Australia could clearly include the Rohingya in its refugee admissions policies as part of Myanmar’s national category. Such a move would not only put pressure on the Myanmar government but also encourage neighboring countries to contribute to effective solutions for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Therefore, Amnesty International Australia is also calling for ‘the Australian Government to increase the intake of Rohingya refugees through the Australian Refugee and Humanitarian Action Program so that people can rebuild their lives safely.’
Strengthening Bangladesh’s relationship with Australia depends on Australia’s commitment to implementing a new Indo-Pacific resettlement agreement for Rohingya refugees. The Rohingya are the most persecuted minority in the world. By taking this important step, Australia can enhance its role in the region and establish itself as a beacon of moral leadership.
Further Studies in E-International Relations
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