Hasina seeks Indian pressure on Myanmar over Rohingya crisis

Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged India to put pressure on Myanmar so that the country takes back its nationals, Rohingyas, from Bangladesh to their homeland Rakhine.The Prime Minister came up with the call when a delegation of Indian journalists met her at her official residence Ganobhaban.The journalists came here from New Delhi and Kolkata, India to attend Bangladesh-India Media Dialogue in Dhaka. Institute of Conflict, Law & Development Studies (ICLDS) arranged the three-day dialogue.

Twenty-three renowned journalists from India, including 13 from Kolkata and 10 from New Delhi and 40 others from Bangladesh are participating in it.Sheikh Hasina also urged India to work at the international level to mount pressure on Myanmar to take necessary measures so that the Rohingyas do not have to face such atrocities after their return to their homeland.About the bilateral relations with India, the Prime Minister said both the countries have excellent ties and she finds no challenge in this regard.Hasina reiterated that any problem with the next-door neighbour could be resolved bilaterally through discussions, and Bangladesh and India set an example solving problems like LBA.

Replying to a question whether there is any concern from India on Bangladesh-China growing cooperation, she said many countries, including Japan, China and Saudi Arabia are working with Bangladesh in many sectors.Replying to a question on terrorism, Hasina reemphasised maintaining a peaceful environment in South Asia saying Bangladesh always wants peace.Mentioning her government’s zero tolerance to terrorism, she said Bangladesh does not allow any terrorist and insurgent acts to be carried out against any country from its soil.

The Prime Minister termed poverty the common enemy of the region and urged the neighbours to work together to fight against it.About the next general election, Hasina mentioned that there are so many political parties in Bangladesh and reiterated that it is a decision of a party whether it will participate in the election.Referring to vandalism, torching and petrol bomb attacks by the BNP-Jamat ally during the last election, she made it clear people will never accept such destructive activities.

About Teesta treaty, she mentioned that both Bangladesh and India are discussing the issue, and expressed her optimism about signing of a deal on Teesta.On a question about protection of languages, Hasina pointed out the International Mother Language Institute and said it has been established to preserve, carry out research works on various languages of the world.

The Prime Minister also elaborated regional connectivity, tourism, Khaleda Zia’s jailing in graft case and other issues.Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu and State Minister for Information Tarana Halim were present. Chairman of ICLDS and former Ambassador Mohammad Zamir, Vice Chairman and UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan were present on the occasion. Editor of Daily Bhorer Kagoj and Conveyor of ICLDS Shyamol Dutta moderated the function. (UNI)