Myanmar–Saudi Arabia relations

Saudi Arabia–Myanmar relations refer to the bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Myanmar. Myanmar has an embassy in Riyadh whilst Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Yangon.

Saudi-Burmese relations

Myanmar
Saudi Arabia

Relations

Saudi Arabia and Myanmar have only established relations in 2004.[1]

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Myanmar only began to gain some notice after Myanmar began crackdowns on Rohingya people in 2012. Saudi Arabia has largely, by far, refrained from condemning Myanmar, due to lucrative business in the ASEAN which Saudi Arabia sought to expand its interests and economic relations with China.[2][3] However, Saudi Arabia has criticized Myanmar over maltreatment of Rohingya population in, and extended their aids, though the needed business with China throughout Myanmar is required.[4][5]

Saudi Arabia had agreed to accept 250,000 Rohingyas and other Burmese Muslims since 2009.[4] With the death of King Abdullah in 2015, new King Salman had taken a tougher approach, detaining 3,000 Rohingyas before sending them back to Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2019.[4][6] In 2020, Saudi Arabia's treatment toward Rohingya refugees have been conflicted: the country provided residency relief for 190,000 Burmese Muslims, while on the same time had also been reported of deporting another group of Rohingya refugees.[7][8]

Saudi Arabia's Wahhabism is also being put to question for its role of fueling terrorism and insurgency in Myanmar, notably among Rohingya population.[9]

In cultural relations, Burmese Muslims have managed to integrate into the country and mostly speak Arabic language and has recently moved on to address the residency issues to integrate further Burmese population.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Myanmar-Saudi Diplomatic Ties Established | ARNO". rohingya.org. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  2. "Analyzing the Relationship between Myanmar and the Gulf States". Glimpse from the Globe. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  3. "Business ties complicate Muslim states' response to Rohingya". apnews.com. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  4. "Saudi Arabia's Colliding Interests in Myanmar". Fair Observer. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  5. "Saudi Arabia condemns Myanmar government 'policy of repression'". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  6. "Saudi Arabia deports dozens of Rohingya to Bangladesh: MEE | Asia Pacific". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  7. "190,000 Myanmar nationals' get residency relief in Saudi Arabia". Al Arabiya English. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  8. "'We have no dreams': Rohingya despair after deportation from Saudi Arabia". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  9. Deutsche Welle. "Is Saudi Wahhabism fueling Rohingya Muslim insurgency? | Asia| An in-depth look at news from across the continent | DW | 16.12.2016". dw.com. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  10. "Half a century of Burmese integration in Saudi society". Al Arabiya English. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.