Rohingya repatriation through negotiations, not conflict with Myanmar: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh will keep up its efforts to repatriate displaced Rohingyas through negotiations, not engaging in any conflict with Myanmar.

“Since they (Myanmar) are our close-door neighbours, We’ll never engage in any conflict with them (Myanmar). Rather we'll have to continue efforts so that they'll take back their nationals through negotiations,” she said while visiting the Defence Ministry in the city.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh provided shelter to some one million Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds. "It's surprising to the world how we could provided shelter to such huge people and saved them."

She further said,“We didn’t go to engage in any conflict with Myanmar. We have discussed and signed an agreement with them. Our aim is to send them back to their country through dialogues."

Sheikh Hasina, also Defence Minister, asked all the authorities concerned to discharge their responsibility according to the goal.

Acting Army Chief Lieutenant General Md Shamsul Haque, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) of the PMO Md Abdul Islam Azad and PM's Military Secretary Major General Mia Md Jainul Abedin.

Defence Secretary Akhter Hussain Bhuiya delivered the welcome speech.

Source: unb