Bangladesh has proposed India to remain engaged in the Rakhine state of Myanmar and oversee the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees from Cox’s Bazar when it happens.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen after his return from New Delhi said on Sunday that he made the proposal to make the return ‘sustainable’.
“We have proposed to India that they and some other Asian countries like Japan who have already shown interest should oversee the process of repatriation,” he said. “This will help to ensure safety and security of the Rohingya population after their return and make the return sustainable”.
He made the proposal to his counterpart Harsh Vardhan Shringla at the foreign office consultation in New Delhi.
“We think that Myanmar will have no objections if India and Japan agree to oversee the process,” he said.
Bangladesh has given shelter to over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees. Most of them came to Cox’s Bazar after the August 2017 ‘ethnic cleansing’.
The government signed deals with Myanmar to start the repatriation. But none of them have returned so far.
Bangladesh, China and Myanmar recently had a tripartite meeting to discuss the roadmap for repatriation. A joint working group meeting between the three countries will be held next month.
