Dhaka | 13 May 2025
The newly formed government under Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus is facing growing scrutiny after reports emerged suggesting that Bangladesh has agreed to grant a strategic transit corridor to Myanmar—a move critics claim indirectly facilitates U.S. geopolitical ambitions in the region. The decision, if confirmed, marks an unprecedented shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy and raises serious concerns about national sovereignty.
Historically, no elected government in Bangladesh has ever entertained the idea of offering such a route to a country like Myanmar, especially one currently under military rule and increasingly aligned with broader U.S. regional strategy. The development has alarmed analysts who believe the move could serve as a backdoor for U.S. strategic positioning, particularly given Washington’s long-standing interest in monitoring both India and China from South Asia.
“The U.S. has two main interests in any country: military access and economic leverage,” said a senior regional analyst. “Since Bangladesh holds limited economic value for Washington, the only logical interest here is strategic—and this corridor could be part of that calculation.”
Washington’s engagement in the region has consistently prioritized influence over India and China. Whether Bangladesh is governed by a democracy or an autocracy has rarely been a major concern for U.S. foreign policy, as evidenced by its historical approach since 1971.
Critics argue that Dr. Yunus is not only breaking long-standing policy precedent but also risking Bangladesh’s sovereignty for vague geopolitical gains. While the corridor may be publicly framed as a move to improve regional connectivity, many believe it effectively extends the U.S.’s indirect footprint in Southeast Asia via Myanmar.
Those anticipating that such alignment will pressure India may be miscalculating. Past U.S. interventions in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria have shown that American involvement does not guarantee regional stability—or the intimidation of regional powers.
Opposition voices are growing louder, questioning whether Yunus is prioritizing foreign influence over national interest. Analysts warn that in nations with large populations of frustrated and unemployed youth, such decisions may sow long-term instability and open the door to proxy conflicts.
“This isn’t just a diplomatic move—it’s a strategic gamble,” said one political commentator. “Bangladesh is walking into a high-stakes game, and the consequences could echo for decades.”
The Yunus administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding the reported corridor agreement, but demands for full transparency and parliamentary scrutiny continue to mount.