India extends support to Bangladesh on Rohingyas

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday expressed her government's full support to the stance of Bangladesh on Rohingya issues.

The Indian External Affairs Minister talked to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over phone tonight and conveyed the message to her, PM's Deputy Press Secretary Nazrul Islam said after the conversation from Ganabhaban.

Sushma Swaraj said the Indian government is trying to create pressure bilaterally and multilaterally on Myanmar to stop persecution on Rohingya Muslims as well as take back the refugees who have taken shelter to Bangladesh.

Rohingya problem is not an issue for Bangladesh only, rather it has turned into a global matter from a regional one, Sushma Swaraj told the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has given shelter to the Rohingyas only on humanitarian ground. Myanmar must acknowledge the Rohingyas as their nationals, she said

Sheikh Hasina said her government has allocated land for makeshift arrangement to give shelter to the Rohingyas. But, it will certainly create a big problem for Bangladesh for their long term stay.

The premier said the leaders and workers of her party along with the administration are working round the clock to provide food, shelter and medicare services to the Rohingyas.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla was present at Ganabhaban at that time.

PM's Advisor Dr Gowher Rizvi and Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury were also present.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla informed the Prime Minister of the first consignment of Indian relief materials sent for the Rohingya refugees.

Source: bss