Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will discuss the issue related to Rohingya repatriation with PM Narendra Modi during his visit to India.
“To us, the only feasible solution is the repatriation of (Rohingyas) to their Rakhine state (Myanmar)… I’m sure that when PM Sheikh Hasina will meet PM Modi then she will also raise the issue that how India can help us in this repatriation effort,” ANI quoted the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary as saying
Momen said that if the issue is not resolved then it can become a big issue not only for Bangladesh but beyond the region.
“The main risk is the population is very young. If the refugee situation becomes a protracted one then in absence of hope and if there is despair, hopelessness then there could be some radicalisation also and that can be a headache not only for Bangladesh but beyond the region,” said the Bangladesh Foreing Secretary.
“We already see the trafficking of drugs, women, and children en route to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and also near the Andaman Sea (India). We are trying to curb it… and that is why it’s important that the repatriation process (of Rohingyas) start soon,” he added.
Since August 25, 2017, more than 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have fled to Bangladesh. This Rohingya refugee crisis is among the largest, fastest movements of people in recent history.
