Issues that Modi and Hasina may take on importance in meetings

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's agenda scheduled to visit India in September this year is likely to get importance on the issue of Rohingya repatriation.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen Bharti gave this information in an exclusive interview to news agency ANI.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is coming to India on a bilateral visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will raise the problems that resulted in the illegal migration of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Bangladesh, including the increase in radicalism, drug trafficking and women and children.

More than 1 million Rohingya refugees fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar to 25 August 2017. The Rohingya refugee crisis is one of the largest, fastest migration in recent history.

"We request the international community not only to support the humanitarian efforts necessary to support this huge Rohingya population, but at the same time we need to look at some sustainable solutions to this problem. The only possible solution for us is the repatriation of the Rohingya to Rakhine State, from which they (Myanmar).

The complex Rohingya refugee crisis began in August 2017 after armed groups attacked remote police outposts in the western part of Myanmar. Then there was a systematic counterattack against the minority, mainly Muslim Rohingya, which has been claimed by human rights organizations including senior UN officials.

In the context of the important role that India can play in the repatriation efforts, the foreign secretary of Bangladesh said, "We are talking to the Myanmar authorities, but I think other countries can cooperate if they are in a position to do so. Myanmar agrees that since India is a common neighbor of both Myanmar and Bangladesh, we have requested in the past and further that India will play an active role in repatriation, especially these Rohingyas return to Myanmar's Rakhine State.

Momen said if they (Rohingyas) find the right suitable environment, they will need some first aid in the field of improved accommodation, healthcare and sustainable livelihood and it can do countries like India, if Myanmar agrees to it, it will be a game changer for Bangladesh.

The diplomat of Bangladesh also said that he highlighted the issue of repatriation with former Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla last year.

Momen also said that the matter has been discussed with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar recently.

Momen said, ‘I am sure that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also highlight how India can help us in this repatriation of the Rohingyas when she meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi.’

Refugees from Rakhine State have been coming to Palli in Bangladesh in the last five years. The crisis started in 2017. They are giving

Currently, more than 1 million stateless Rohingya refugees live in the world's largest and most densely populated refugee camp in Kutupalong, Bangladesh.

Momen said, it is a very densely populated place in Cox's Bazar, we are trying to reduce the dense population by moving a part of the Rohingya population to Bhasanchar Island, but it is also a temporary solution.

Bangladesh is concerned about the Rohingya and their illegal activities, and several Rohingya have been prosecuted against drug smuggling and child trafficking, and there is a risk of radicalization of Rohingyas through third parties in the region.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary told ANI that more than 60 percent of Rohingya (refugees)

Very young… Their fundamentalist activities are likely to be jeopardized, which can clearly become a headache…not just for Bangladesh, but also for its (side) regions.

He said, "Drugs and human trafficking are being done with women and children on their way to Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Also, we have found some (illegal) activities near the Andaman Sea (India).

Crimes for Rohingya migration to Bangladesh The rate has increased rapidly and this is a concern, according to Dhaka police data, in 2017, there was a massive infiltration from Myanmar's Rakhine State to Cox's Bazar.

According to Cox's Bazar District Police, Rohingyas are involved in 12 types of crimes including murder, drugs and human trafficking, arms and gold trafficking, rape, robbery, kidnapping, ransom and attacks on law enforcement agencies. As of October 2021, 71 murders, 762 drug trafficking, 87 human trafficking, 65 rape cases, 10 robberies, 34 kidnapping and ransom cases have been committed.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address the upcoming UN General Session and she will probably talk about the speedy repatriation of the Rohingyas seeking the support of the international community.

Source: ANI