Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina Sheikh Hasina feels India can play major role in resolving Rohingya issue
Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the Rohingya migrants are a “big burden” on her country and the South Asian nation is reaching out to the international community to ensure their return to their homeland, Myanmar.
Hasina, in an interview with Indian news agency ANI a day before her four-day visit to India, confessed that the presence of lakhs of forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh had created challenges for her regime adding that she feels India could play a major role in resolving the issue.
“Well you know… for us it’s a big burden. India is a vast country; you can accommodate but you don’t have much. But in our country… we have 1.1 million Rohingya. So well… we are consulting with the international community and also our neighbouring countries, they should also take some steps so that they can go back home,” Hasina told ANI.
Sheikh Hasina said that her government had tried to take care of the displaced community keeping the humanitarian aspect in mind.
“This Rohingya, yes… on the humanitarian ground we gave them shelter and provided everything but during this COVID, we vaccinated all the Rohingya community. But how long they will stay here? So in the camp they are staying," she said during the interview.
"Our environmental hazard is there. Then some people engage in drug trafficking or some arms conflict, women trafficking. Day by day it is increasing. So as quick as they return home it is good for our country and also for Myanmar. So we have been trying our best to pursue them, we’re discussing with them and also the international community, like ASEAN or UNO, then other countries,” Hasina added.
The Prime Minister said that her country had offered shelter to the Rohingya when they were facing many troubles. But now they should go back to their country.
"India as a neighbour country, they can play a big role in it, I feel that,” Sheikh Hasina told ANI.
Sheikh Hasina on Monday arrived in Delhi on a four-day visit to India.
