State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said there has been no discussion between the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar regarding the reported repatriation of 300,000 Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
Her remarks came after Malaysian media reported that Myanmar had agreed to take back 300,000 Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh as part of ongoing repatriation efforts.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shama said Bangladesh would welcome such a development if it were confirmed.
"It will be very good news. I do not know anything specific yet," she said.
She added that Bangladesh remains in contact with Myanmar but no such issue has been discussed between the two governments.
The reports, quoting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, said Myanmar had also agreed to repatriate 5,000 Rohingya refugees from Malaysia.
"That is why it is important to maintain good relations with Myanmar. They have now agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya from Malaysia and 300,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh to Myanmar," The Star quoted Anwar as saying.
"Why? Because we negotiated. These matters require careful diplomacy," he added while speaking at a meeting with local voters in Chennah on Wednesday.
Bangladesh currently hosts more than 1.3 million Rohingyas in camps in Cox's Bazar and on Bhasan Char after they fled persecution in Myanmar.