Bangladesh wants a “safe haven” for the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Rakhine state by ensuring their safe, secure, and dignified repatriation under the supervision of India, China, and other ASEAN nations.
“We want a safe haven for the Rohingya people in Myanmar’s Rakhine state which has to be monitored by India, China, and other ASEAN nations, said Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in New Delhi on Friday evening.
As China and India are cordial with Myanmar, they may accept this proposal,” he added.
Talking to BSS, Momen said he requested his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during their meeting on Friday, to take up the proposal with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister, Aung San Suu Kyi.
“When I shared this idea with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he thought the idea was an ‘innovative’ one,” he said.
The Bangladesh foreign minister, who left New Delhi for Dhaka on Saturday, after wrapping up his three-day official tour, said: “Our main objective is to ensure the safe return of Rohingyas to their motherland.
“Otherwise the rise of radicalism and uncertainty in the region may hinder its peace and stability. Bangladesh being an overpopulated country has been facing huge challenges to manage over 10 lakh Rohingyas on its land.”
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr AK Abdul Momen calls on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on February 7, 2019 | Courtesy
Momen also said the prime minister has saved the world from potentially witnessing the second largest genocide after World War II, by sheltering the refugees.
In this regard, Momen said over 24,000 people were killed, 18,000 women raped, and 120,000 houses were destroyed in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Stating that this was a fruitful visit, the foreign minister said the visit was much needed and that he received a warm welcome from India.
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About the Teesta river water sharing deal, Momen said: “We should not be fixated on just one river. Through discussion we should come to solutions about all 54 common rivers shared across the borders.”
In this regard, he mentioned the solution to the land demarcation dispute with India and said: “We will be able to solve all unsettled problems with our neighbouring countries through discussions as Bangladesh and India have cordial relations”.
About the Indian $4.5 billion Line of Credit (LOC) to Bangladesh, the foreign minister said he had requested the Indian authority to expedite the process.
