'Humanitarian Corridor' to Deliver Aid to Myanmar's Rakhine State: Analysis of Bangladesh's Political Challenges

This study investigates the political challenges faced by Bangladesh in advocating for or enabling a humanitarian corridor to deliver aid to Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State. Against the backdrop of a protracted Rohingya refugee crisis and escalating humanitarian needs, the research examines the interplay of state sovereignty, regional geopolitics, and domestic political pressures that shape Bangladesh’s strategic calculations. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in defensive realism and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) framework, the paper synthesises primary data and secondary literature to explore the feasibility and implications of humanitarian corridors. The findings suggest that Bangladesh's limited foreign policy leverage, combined with the influence of regional powers such as India and China, restricts direct intervention in the country's affairs. Moreover, domestic political narratives and growing public resentment toward Rohingya refugees have further curtailed policy options. Despite these barriers, the study proposes multilateral diplomacy, regional collaboration, and legal innovations as potential avenues to operationalise humanitarian access. The paper contributes to the scholarly discourse on humanitarian intervention, regional security, and the geopolitics of aid delivery in South and Southeast Asia.