Dhaka, Feb. 26 -- In a rare diplomatic gesture, the chief of Myanmar's powerful rebel group, the Arakan Army (AA), has sent a congratulatory message to Bangladesh's new Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman.

Foreign ministry officials confirmed this is the first time the armed group has sent such a formal greeting.

Khalilur, who served as the national security advisor under the interim government, assumed his new role following the Feb 12 national election.

In a letter to the minister, Twan Mrat Naing, chairman of the United League of Arakan (ULA), wrote: "In your new capacity as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, I hope you will continue to work with us to find practical, sustainable and realistic solutions.

"Building on our existing goo...