India Can Play Big Role In Rohingyas’ Return To Myanmar: PM Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka: Ahead of her visit to India, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said that Rohingya refugees are a “big burden” and India could play a major role in resolving the issue.

Confessing that the presence of lakhs of refugees in the country had created challenges, the Prime Minister said she believes India could play a major role in resolving the issue, in an interview with news agency ANI.

“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, 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,” she said.

Hasina added that her government had tried to take care of the displaced community on humanitarian grounds.

“On humanitarian grounds, we give them shelter and provide everything… During Covid, we vaccinated all the Rohingya community. But how long will they stay here? In the camp where they are staying, our environmental hazard is there. Then some people engage in drug trafficking, some arms conflict, or women’s trafficking. Day by day, it is increasing,” she said.

“So as quickly as they return home, it is good for our country and also for Myanmar. We have been trying our best to pursue them. We’re discussing with them and also with the international community, like ASEAN or UN, and then other countries. But India, as a neighbouring country, can play a big role in it. I feel that,” Hasina added.