Bangladesh wants India to mediate for early and smooth repatriation of Rohingyas

Bangladesh has requested India's help in dealing with the Rohingya crisis. Bangladesh wants India to mediate between the two countries (Myanmar and Bangladesh ) for the smooth repatriation of the Rohingyas to their country of origin, Myanmar.

Figures released by the United Nations in September this year claimed that around 436,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since the latest round of violence erupted in Myanmar's Rakhine state in August. As the exodus continues the number of Rohingya settlers in Bangladesh grows in leaps and bounds by the day.

Speaking at a conference organized by Tripura University at the Omio Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development at Agartala, Shakhawat Hossain, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh requested Indian help for early and smooth repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Addressing the conference Hossain stated that continued pressure has to be exerted on Myanmar for repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Hossain stated that as India is a regional power and exercises geo-political influence in the South East Asia India could work as a mediator.

Having common borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar and enjoying sound relations with both Bangladesh and Myanmar could enable India to mediate for the repatriation of the Rohingyas, feels the Diplomat.

India has adopted a tough stand and has pushed back attempts by the Rohingyas to enter Indian soil. However India has been providing aid and relief materials to the temporary camps running in neighbouring Bangladesh for the Rohingya refugees.

Incidentally Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister, Government of India, in a statement issued after a joint consultative committee meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh to discuss India- Bangladesh ties, recently, had stated "The only long term solution to the situation (Rohingya) in Rakhine State is rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development that would have a positive impact on all communities living in the State."

An Indian Diplomat in Bangladesh, talking to the Daily Star, stated that India will continue to engage with Myanmar to pursue safe and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas.

"We also spoke to Myanmar authorities and urged them to implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan-led commission," the Diplomat told the Daily Star.

However India does not support any forceful approach that might turn counterproductive stated the Indian Diplomat.

The two-day Workshop on "India Bangladesh Border and cross border relations in North East India," organized by the Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development and the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tripura University, in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, concluded on October 24.

Hossain stated that the High Commission of Bangladesh in India would provide support for promoting discussions and workshops on similar subjects in future. He added that his Mission would like to facilitate joint academic pursuits between Tripura University and Universities of Bangaldesh.

The Rohingyas are an ethnic group, majority belonging to the Muslim faith, who have lived for centuries in Myanmar.

Following an attack on the police posts and an army base in Myanmar on August 25 that left 12 officers dead, the Myanmar military has imposed a crackdown on the Rohingya population which they have dubbed a clearance operation against an insurgent terrorist group.

Due to ongoing violence and persecution, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring countries either by land or boat.

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