Diplomatic Correspondent :
Dhaka has expressed deep concern over the recent influx of more than 40,000 Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh through the Myanmar border, fleeing escalating conflicts in their home country to ensure their safety.
In a meeting with Myanmar’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, U Kyaw Soe Moe, on Wednesday, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain emphasised the regional stability that is crucial for both the nations.
The Foreign Adviser reiterated the need for the safe and sustainable repatriation of the displaced Rohingya population, underscoring the importance of peace and stability in Myanmar.
During the meeting, they discussed a range of bilateral issues including sustainable repatriation of Rohingya people.
Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stressed upon Bangladesh and Myanmar, being two close neighbours, have certain challenges in the bilateral relations that need to be resolved on a priority basis.
The Myanmar Ambassador acknowledged the difficulties caused by the conflict, explaining that efforts toward the repatriation of displaced persons had been delayed due to the ceasefire breakdown by the Arakan Army in November 2023.
The Foreign Adviser expressed hope that the Myanmar government and other key players would soon engage in constructive dialogue to address the crisis.
He highlighted the security concerns stemming from the volatile border situation such as rise in human trafficking.
Adviser Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation with South-East Asian Countries, where Myanmar is a vital gateway.
He sought Myanmar’s support for Bangladesh’s bid to become a part of ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue.
They also discussed strengthening bilateral trade, increasing people-to-people contact, and the potential resumption of direct flights between Dhaka and Yangon. They emphasised finalising the coastal shipping agreement currently under negotiation between the two countries.
Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe conveyed his government’s gratitude to Bangladesh for providing shelter, food, and medical support to Myanmar troops, as well as facilitating their repatriation after they had recently crossed into Bangladesh amidst the ongoing conflict in Rakhine.
Since the influx of the Rohingyas in August 2017, Bangladesh has been bearing the burden of the Rohingyas. The government of Bangladesh has repeatedly urged the Myanmar government to resolve the crisis, but the Junta government has not taken a single Rohingyas.
Rather with the passing of time, the situation is being compounded and more Rohingyas are intruding inside Bangladesh territory.
In a bid to resolve the crisis, the interim government of Bangladesh has urged the international community including China to proactively come forward to address the issue.
The government said the delayed of the repatriation would ultimately destabilise the entire region.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Foreign Adviser has again sought Beijing’s more proactive role to resolve the crisis because Dhaka thinks that China has leverage on Myanmar.
The adviser in a event said that the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar is the only solution to end the crisis.
Since the formation of the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh has sought cooperation of the ASEAN countries as well.