FES INDIA PAPER New Delhi, October, 2014 THE BAY OF BENGAL AT THE CROSSROADS POTENTIAL FOR COOPERATION AMONG BANGLADESH, INDIA AND MYANMAR* BY K. YHOME The re-emergence of the Bay of Bengal(BoB) in regional strategic calculus has immense geopolitical consequence. As this opens up enormous economic opportunities, there is a need for the littorals to chart out a shared vision of building a community based on peace, prosperity and stability. Recognizing that the problems and challenges emanating from the region require a regional approach holds the key for regional cooperation. Creative re-imagining of the geographical advantages, historical and cultural linkages may unlock the potential for regional collaboration as much as in dismantling the artificially constructed boundaries. Improving political relationships among the governments of Bangladesh, India and Myanmar and the settlement of long-standing maritime territorial disputes provide an opportune time to explore trilateral cooperation in resources sharing, inter-linking connectivity and joint efforts to enhance security. * This paper is based on deliberations at an international conference on“The Future of the Bay of Bengal” held in Kolkata on 3-4 March, 2014 organised by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.