'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 counterpart 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 three-day 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."