The 2008 Bangladesh–Myanmar naval standoff was a naval conflict between the Bangladesh Navy and the Myanmar Navy over disputed territory in the northeastern Bay of Bengal. The standoff ended after diplomatic negotiations. In 2012, the two countries resolved their maritime boundary disputes at an international tribunal.
Background The Bay of Bengal has large untapped reserves of oil and natural gas. In November 2008, Myanmar allowed the South Korean company Daewoo to explore the seabed in an area 50 nautical miles southwest of Bangladesh's St. Martin's Island. The area was contested between Bangladesh and Myanmar as part of their respective exclusive economic zones.
Standoff Citing international law, Bangladesh asserted that Myanmar should not allow any kind of activities till a solution regarding the clear delimitation of the disputed territory is found. After Bangladeshi warnings were not heeded, the Bangladesh Navy deployed to the area three warships: the , and . Myanmar deployed at least two naval vessels.
Negotiations The Government of Bangladesh said Myanmar was operating well within the disputed territory. The Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Towhid Hossain summoned the Myanmar ambassador and later himself flew to then capital of Myanmar, Yangon with a team of Bangladeshi diplomats. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, the interim Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, vowed that his country would protect its sovereignty, territory and national assets with "all necessary measures". There was no public statement from Myanmar.
Withdrawal On 7 November 2008, it was reported that Myanmar had withdrawn its vessels and Daewoo had begun to remove its equipment from the area.
Arbitration In 2009, Bangladesh submitted its claims to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Both countries came to terms at the tribunal in 2012.
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