Porimol Palma

Bangladesh is struggling to sustain exports, labour migration and major development cooperation with Russia as US-led financial sanctions imposed after the Russia-Ukraine war continue to disrupt payment settlements.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's India visit, sought by both Dhaka and New Delhi, hinges on India's assurance that ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina will not be allowed to engage in activities from its territory that could create instability in Bangladesh, diplomatic sources said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely to visit India between August 20 and 25, with Dhaka and New Delhi discussing the specific dates within the timeframe, diplomatic sources said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible visit to India later this month could help reset relations by offering an opportunity to address long-standing issues between the two neighbours, foreign policy analysts say.

The ball is now in India's court to improve strained ties with Bangladesh, and New Delhi needs to address Dhaka's concerns and respond to the growing public sentiment, foreign policy analysts say.

The overall number of refugees has increased, while funding, which used to be relatively healthy before, has declined. This has created a difficult situation, particularly because the opportunities for the Rohingya's return are currently lacking. What has not changed is the refugees' desire to return home. But there is a growing realisation that this is exceedingly difficult because of the precarious and unstable conditions in Myanmar, which continue to drive new arrivals.

The overall number of refugees has increased, while funding, which used to be relatively healthy before, has declined.

With the 12 lakh-strong Rohingya refugee population growing and international funding shrinking, Bangladesh faces a mounting burden of hosting the persecuted minority from Myanmar.

Nine years after the Rohingya influx, Bangladesh faces a growing humanitarian and financial burden as the refugee population surpasses 1.2 million, international funding declines, and safe repatriation remains out of reach.

Internal conflicts and changing power dynamics in Myanmar, along with escalating geopolitical tensions, are making the prospect of Rohingya repatriation more complicated, analysts say.