India: Myanmar must take back Rohingya

DHAKA: India’s foreign minister has told Bangladesh’s government that Myanmar must take back Rohingya Muslims to resolve one of Asia’s largest refugee crises in decades, the government said.

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj conveyed her message on Sunday during a meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who ordered border guards and her administration to allow the Rohingya to cross the border and shelter in makeshift camps in the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar.

The United News of Bangladesh agency reported that Swaraj said: “Myanmar must take back their nationals ... this is a big burden for Bangladesh.

“How long will Bangladesh bear it? There should be a permanent solution to this crisis.”

Earlier, she met with her Bangladeshi counterpart A.H. Mahmood Ali and said India was worried about the violence.

Human rights groups have interviewed refugees who said Myanmar security forces killed indiscriminately, committed rapes and burned villages to force the Rohingya to leave.

“We’ve urged the situation be handled with restraint, keeping in mind the welfare of the population,” Swaraj said in a statement.

She also said India supported the implementation of recommendations suggesting recognition of the Rohingya ethnic group within Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship and are effectively stateless.

“In our view, the only long-term solution to the situation in Rakhine state is rapid socioeconomic and infrastructure development that would have a positive impact on all the communities living in the state,” she added. — AP