The Rohingya issue dominated the just-passed year 2019, transcending all other odds in the domestic affairs.
Amid this dismal picture were the inception of Myanmar's trial in the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court's approval of investigation into atrocities.
Otherwise, the achievement to this effect is shocking. Three years have elapsed, but not a single Rohingya refugee could be sent back home to date.
"It's frustrating that Myanmar has failed to take back a single Rohingya member, but we're still hopeful about their repatriation soon," said foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen this week.
"We've been able to gain the support of the international community on this issue through our diplomatic efforts," he told the FE.
But international relations expert Prof Imtiaz Ahmed attributed diplomatic failure to win big neighbours' support to this end.
Bangladesh needs to focus more on these neighbours who have blessings for Myanmar, he asserted.
In August 2019, the second attempt was made to repatriate the Rohingya but to no avail. It failed like the first one taken in November 2018.
But the trial of Myanmar in The Hague is seen by many as a milestone as the state was finally taken to appear in an international court to answer for its acts.
The official narrated how Dhaka had lobbied with the key Muslim nations at OIC meetings to pass a resolution to give Gambia the go-ahead in order to sue Myanmar.
The international community, especially the West, was vocal against Myanmar on the Rohingya issue all year and the US and Canada imposed sanctions on top military officers of Myanmar.
Apart from the Rohingya issue, the Indo-Bangla diplomacy also featured prominently last year.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the Indian capital of New Delhi in the first week of October.
Seven agreements and instruments were signed bypassing the thorny Teesta issue, prompting many to say that India is extracting more benefits out of the 'warmest ties' between the two neighbours.
The National Register of Citizens and the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Indian parliament in early December also triggered concerns in Bangladesh.
Hundreds of Bangla-speaking people tried to enter the Bangladesh territory illegally as tensions mounted in different places in India as a result of the bill.
Both foreign minister and home minister cancelled their scheduled trips to India in the aftermath.
The premier visited China in July after her visit to Japan in May last year. She had a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping and nine memoranda and agreements were inked at the time.
During these official visits, she was vocal about the early resolution of the Rohingya issue.
