Solving the Rohingya crisis would get top priority during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China in July. If the persecuted Rohingyas, one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar, continues to stay in Bangladesh it can obstruct the development process of the region. Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen said this on Friday while briefing journalists on the tour plan of the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to China.
In a written statement the Minister said, “We hope Rohingya issue would get much importance during the bilateral talks with her counterpart and Bangladesh benefits from the discussions.” He denied reports on ‘China supporting Myanmar on their stand against the Rohingyas saying, “China is supporting Myanmar and at the same time they are also supporting Bangladesh. China agrees with Bangladesh on the issue of peaceful Rohingya repatriation but they (China) want this solution through bilateral talks.”
Replying to a question from Bangladesh Post, the Minister said that China repeatedly asked Bangladesh to find the Rohingya solution through bilateral discussions. “We have given shelter to the Rohingyas temporarily since they have been forced to leave their homes in Myanmar. It’s not only a Muslim issue but several ethnic groups who are now taking refuge in Bangladesh,” the Minister explained.
He said, “If they (Rohingyas) continue to remain in Bangladesh the entire progress of the developments of the mega projects and the investment of China in Bangladesh would be in jeopardy.” Similarly, China is also making huge investments in Myanmar which can also be hurt by the continued settlement of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
The Minister also feared that if such refugees continue to stay in Bangladesh it can give rise to ‘pockets of radicalism’ and further destabilize the process of development. “So it is on our priority on the discussion list with China to strongly pursue the repatriation of the Rohingyas,” the Minister explained. Describing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a ‘great diplomat’, the Minister said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will seek stronger role from China in addressing the Rohingya crisis during her visit to the country.”
He said, “She (PM) has good relations with President Xi Jinping and we believe our Prime Minister could use this relation to pursue the Chinese President to play a ‘pro-active action’ on Myanmar in solving the crisis.” “It is not always right to assume that Myanmar would bow to the pressure from China (on Rohingya issue), the Minister pointed out adding, “We are, however, very confident that China would take our proposals more seriously and act accordingly in the greater interest of all.”
Replying to another question, the Minister said, “We have set an example in the world by solving all problems through peaceful diplomatic persuasions. Let us take the example of our neighbor India. We had long-standing critical issues with them, like maritime boundaries, river water sharing, and enclave exchange. We have solved all the problems through high top diplomacy. We had the leadership that spearheaded in solving the crisis with India.” “In a similar manner,” the Minister reminded, “We like to make a diplomatic approach in finding a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis.”
Calling Myanmar a friendly state, he reminded that Rohingyas were forced to take refuge before in Bangladesh, first in 1992 and again in 1999. We resorted to diplomacy and solved the problems. He said that the China visit is intended for creating pressure on Myanmar. Referring to ASEAN members states, he said, “We strongly believe in solving the Rohingya problem with everyone’s participation as we consider everyone our friend.”
The Minister mentioned that Bangladesh is seeking a ‘safe and secured repatriation of the Rohingyas. On the blockade issue by China in the UN Security Council, the Minister explained that China never acted against Bangladesh’s interest to pursue a peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis but China acted to veto on 'certain principles' of the Rohingya issue.
The Minister said that during the visit from July 1 to 5, the Prime Minister will meet with the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. She will also address the World Economic Forum. China and Bangladesh are expected to sign eight memorandum of understandings (MOUs) and agreements on power, loan, technical cooperation, investment, and cultural exchange. A delegation of top businessmen will accompany during the Prime Minister’s entourage.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque, Secretary (Asia Pacific) Mahbub Uz Zaman were also present during the press conference.
