‘Rohingyas need Myanmar safe haven monitored by India, China’
NEW DELHI: Bangladesh wants an India, China and Asean countries-monitored “safe haven” in the Rakhine province of Myanmar for the forcibly displaced Rohingya nationals. This only can ensure a safe, secure and dignified repatriation, visiting newly appointed Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr A K Abdul Momen told a select group of journalists in New Delhi.
He also informed that India's External affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured him that she would take up this matter with her Myanmar counterpart in course of time. Momen also said that very soon a meeting of the Joint River Commission would be called to discuss water sharing of all 54 common rivers between the two countries.
“We want a safe haven for the Rohingya people in Myanmar's Rakhine state and that haven has to be monitored
by India, China and Asean nations — as China and India are friendly to Myanmar, it may accept this proposal,” said Momen.
Talking to this correspondent, Momen said that he requested Swaraj during their meeting to take up the proposal with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi about which the latter replied, “Let me see.” Swaraj also told him that why he was not giving the proposal to his counter-
part friend in Myanmar. Then Momen told her in an exclusive one-to-one meeting that it would be effective if she put forward this proposal.
In fact, Myanmar Deputy Foreign minister U Kan Tin is no more in charge of the foreign ministry. Presently, State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi herself holds the Foreign ministry portfolio. Swaraj also asked whether he had shared this idea with PM Modi. The foreign minister replied in the positive and also informed her that the response of PM Modi was positive and he commented it was an innovative proposal.
“When I shared my idea with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about ensuring a safe haven of Rohingyas in Myanmar's Rakhine state, he described the idea as an ‘innovative' one,” he said. The Bangladesh foreign minister, who left New Delhi for Dhaka on Saturday afternoon after wrapping up his threeday official tour in the neighbouring state, said our main objective is to ensure the safe return of Rohingyas to their motherland.
Otherwise, he said “There may develop radicalism and uncertainty may loom in the region that may hinder regional peace and stability. Bangladesh, being an overpopulated country, has been facing huge challenges to manage the burden of over 8 lakh Rohingyas in its land.”
He also said, “I told Mrs Swaraj this was a great danger looming large. Even India’s effort to make coastal security might be jeopardised if this problem is not solved immediately. If security is not ensured, then countries’ economic growth would suffe., he said.
Describing the humanitarian gesture of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the Rohingyas, who fled torture to Bangladesh, Momen said the prime minister has saved the world from seeing huge killings. Otherwise, it could have been the second largest “genocide” after World War II.
In this connection, Momen said over 24,000 people were killed, 18,000 women raped and 1, 20,000 houses destroyed, 1, 15000 houses were burnt in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. “If we had not given them shelter, there could have been more disaster,” he added.
Asked about his visit to India, the foreign minister said, “It was a very good and productive visit”. “The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sushma Ji (Sushma Swaraj) and even the former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh received me, I was simply overwhelmed.”
He felt embarrassed when former PM Monmahon Sing came forward to open the door of his car and again came to close the door during the seeoff. “I felt embarrassed because a topmost economist like the former PM and who was colleague of my elder brother (A A Amuhuth) did show that type of gesture.”
About the Teesta river water sharing deal, Momen said, “Not only the Teesta… Bangladesh wants resolution of all outstanding issues through discussions.” He said, “A solution to the sharing of all the 54 common rivers should be found. We should not be fixated on just one river”.
An MEA source also confirmed the meeting. He informed that on the occasion of 50 years of Liberation, India and Bangladesh would jointly complete a bio-pic on Bangabandhu and a documentary on the liberation war. These films would be directed by the noted film maker Shyam Benegal.
He mentioned the solution of the land demarcation dispute withindia. “We would be able to solve all outstanding problems with our neighbouring countries through discussions as Bangladesh and India now enjoy a ‘very warm’ relation”.
About the Indian $8 billion Line of Credit (LOC) to Bangladesh, the foreign minister said that he had requested the Indian authorities to expedite the process.
On Teesta river water sharing deal, Momen said, ‘Not only the Teesta… B’desh wants resolution of all outstanding issues’