It will not be easy for Australia to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with Bangladesh as its focal point. Bangladesh is now prioritizing the Rohingya crisis in its foreign relations. Australia has yet to take a firm stance to resolve this crisis in Bangladesh. Compared to the recent past, Australia appears more interested in supporting Indo-Pacific nations for their territorial integrity, democratic values, human rights, freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Australia wants to strengthen the capabilities of these countries to address threats to maritime security, climate change and cybercrime, as well as combat human trafficking.
The Bangladesh-Australia Ministerial Dialogue in May 2024 demonstrates Australia’s interest in developing its relationship with Bangladesh. During this dialogue, the ministers reflected on the productive discussions at the Indian Ocean Conferences held in Perth in 2024 and Dhaka in 2023. They also highlighted their continued collaboration in regional forums, such as the India Outlook. of the Association of Indian Ocean Rim Countries and ASEAN. Perspectives on the Indo-Pacific.
Australia is taking concrete steps to strengthen this relationship. Bilateral trade between these two countries has increased by 600% over the past decade, reaching A$2.8 billion by 2023. Bangladesh is the 25thth the largest export market for Australia. At the recent ministerial meeting, ministers also highlighted 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 young Bangladeshis. Ministers reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to building capacity in Bangladesh; working with UNDP, Australia provided technical assistance and policy support to develop a strategy for an inclusive social security system. To further strengthen these bilateral relations, the ANU National Security College has suggested that Australia create military training opportunities in Bangladesh, including placing a defense advisor on the ground.
Australia’s growing focus on the Indo-Pacific region, particularly Bangladesh, is largely driven by rapidly expanding Chinese influence in that region. China’s control over the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, its access to the Bay of Bengal via Myanmar and its indirect control over the Karachi seaport are already evident. In recent years, China has wanted to establish a strong foothold in the Bay of Bengal and for this, it is desperate to establish its effective presence on the coastline of Bangladesh, especially in the outer ocean area adjacent to the Chittagong port in Bangladesh . The Quad, which includes Australia, India, Japan and the United States, is determined to prevent this. India is particularly opposed to any significant military presence in the Bay of Bengal.
It is important to note that, like the United States, China seeks to control major global trade routes and is gradually moving toward this goal. Faced with this Chinese ambition in the Pacific Ocean region, Australia is allocating its resources to support India’s interests, as it has few alternatives. Additionally, Australia wants to keep Bangladesh out of China’s reach in order to safeguard its interests and control over this region. China’s effective presence in this maritime zone will reduce Australia’s options to maintain its trade through this sea and loosen its grip on Oceanic countries such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Australia has recognized the generosity of the Bangladeshi government and its people in welcoming the Rohingya forcibly displaced from Myanmar. The Albanian government has committed $235 million 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 return of the Rohingya to Myanmar. Managing the Rohingya camps, which are currently the largest refugee camps in the world, represents a significant burden. As of September 2023, approximately 965,467 registered Rohingya resided in two main camps in Cox’s Bazar district, an area particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Around a million people are trapped in these overcrowded camps, without access to livelihoods and with limited access to healthcare and education. Doctors Without Borders, which has worked in these camps for more than a decade, describes containment policies as “damaging to hope and perpetuating evil.”
Despite pressure from the UN and other organizations, the Bangladeshi government recently resettled more than 20,000 Rohingya refugees on the isolated island of Bhashan Char. The move has placed the government in an increasingly tense situation, as many international organizations are unwilling to operate on the island. Additionally, the island’s refugees’ desperate attempts to flee by sea increase the risk of regional insecurity.
Bangladesh cannot simply repatriate more than a million Rohingyas to its country. The principle of non-refoulement, widely considered part of customary international law, prohibits states from returning refugees to territory where they could face persecution. Instead, Bangladesh may try to leverage its allies to put pressure on Myanmar’s current military regime to facilitate the return of its citizens. Bangladesh would greatly appreciate Australia’s assistance in this matter, especially since China, with Russian support, has blocked significant efforts to address Myanmar’s mistreatment of the Rohingya at the Council of UN security using its veto power. Australia can play a central role in building a coalition against China’s support for the current regime in Myanmar. By using the influence and capabilities of the Quad countries, Australia could effectively hold the Myanmar government to account and create a safe environment for the Rohingya to begin returning home. Australia can openly lobby for tougher sanctions from the United States and insist that its neighboring country, Indonesia – the world’s largest Muslim-majority country – stands firm alongside countries in the ASEAN to denounce the actions of the Tatmadaw.
Australia has an opportunity to alleviate the suffering of the Rohingya in Bangladesh by reducing pressure on the Bangladeshi government through proactive assistance to Rohingya asylum seekers. Recently, Australia prioritized the processing of humanitarian visas for Myanmar nationals, recognizing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. However, this does not specifically highlight 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 identifying as Rohingya. Australia could explicitly include the Rohingya in its refugee policies under 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 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. As such, Amnesty International in Australia is also calling on “the Australian government to increase the number of Rohingya refugees through the Australian Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance Program so that people can rebuild their lives safely.”
Strengthening relations between Bangladesh and Australia depends on Australia’s commitment to facilitating a new Indo-Pacific resettlement agreement for Rohingya refugees. The Rohingya are the most persecuted minority in the world. By taking this vital step, Australia can strengthen its role in the region and establish itself as a model of moral leadership.
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