Visiting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that there should be a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis,
stressing that Myanmar must take back all its nationals.
She said this during talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter's official residence Ganabhaban in the city.
“Myanmar must take back their nationals…this is a big burden for Bangladesh. How long will Bangladesh bear it? There should be a permanent solution to this crisis,” Sushma was quoted as saying by PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim after the meeting.
Ihsanul said the Indian Foreign Minister called on the international community to contribute to social and economic development of the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
About terrorist acts in Rakhine, Sushma said terrorists can be punished. “Why innocent people?” she said.
Sushma also appreciated the Bangladesh stance and the Prime Minister for showing humanitarian attitude to the forcibly displaced people of Myanmar.
The Indian Foreign Minister said she, during her meeting, with her Bangladesh counterpart AH Mahmood Ali discussed various issues, including the delay of some projects under the Line of Credit.
She also expressed her satisfaction over the current state of Indian-Bangladesh relation.
Ihsanul Karim said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the Indian minister that Bangladesh has given shelter to Rohingyas on humanitarian ground and mentioned that Bangladesh has engagement with Myanmar and Bangladesh’s Home Minister will visit Myanmar shortly.
Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has voiced concern at the spate of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State and hoped normalcy will be restored only with the return of the displaced people to their homeland.
She said, "India is deeply concerned at the spate of violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar. We've urged that the situation be handled with restraint, keeping in mind the welfare of the population".
The Indian Minister said, "We've also supported the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Kofi Annan-led Special Advisory Commission report."
She said these while briefing reporters after the fourth Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting between Bangladesh and India at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the afternoon reviewing the whole gamut of bilateral relations and the decisions taken so far.
Earlier, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Sushma Swaraj led their respective sides at a meeting.
"In our view, the only long-term solution to the situation in Rakhine State is rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development that would have a positive impact on all the communities living in the State," said the Indian Minister.
India, for its part, has committed to providing financial and technical assistance for identified projects to be taken in Rakhine in conjunction with the local authorities, she said.
Mahmood Ali said Bangladesh has urged India to contribute towards exerting sustained pressure on Myanmar to find a peaceful solution to Rohingya crisis and ensure their sustainable return to their homeland.
"We're happy to be reassured that India would continue to support the humanitarian cause related to Rohingyas in Bangladesh," he said.
Sushma Swaraj arrived in Dhaka on Sunday on a two-day official visit to discuss bilateral issues aiming to take forward the ties to the next level, report agencies.
Mahmood Ali received her at Bangabandhu Air Force base on her arrival at 1:41 pm.
