Bangladesh will initiate trilateral talks with China and Myanmar to pursue a political resolution to the Rohingya crisis, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir announced at the Foreign Service Academy Auditorium in the capital Dhaka on Friday.
“Only a political solution can end the prolonged displacement of the Rohingya,” Kobir told a conference organized by Dhaka University’s Department of International Relations—in partnership with the Foreign Service Academy and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)—titled “Protracted Rohingya Crisis: The Search for a Comprehensive Approach.”
Kobir emphasized that only a political resolution can end the forced displacement of over one million Rohingya, noting that Bangladesh cannot resolve the crisis gripping 1.2 million refugees living in camps single-handedly.
He highlighted that sheltering displaced populations since 2017 has placed severe strains on Bangladesh’s economy, environment, public infrastructure, and national security.
Recalling successful repatriations of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar in 1978 and 1992, Kobir stated that sustainable return remains an absolute priority, noting that it is not a question of if repatriation will happen, but rather how and how soon.
UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh Ivo Freijsen reiterated that the root causes of the crisis lie in Myanmar and return must be safe, voluntary, and dignified.
He stressed that voluntary repatriation remains difficult without restored citizenship, fundamental rights, freedom of movement, and access to essential basic services in Arakan State.
Adding to these operational concerns, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam outlined three critical obstacles on the ground: ongoing military instability in Arakan, the disconnect between the official Myanmar regime and the Arakan Army (AA) that controls most of the territory, and the continuous influx of new refugees into Bangladesh.
During a press conference, Kobir also clarified diplomatic schedules regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He ruled out the Prime Minister’s attendance at the upcoming BRICS Summit in India, clarifying that the invitation was extended to Bangladesh in its capacity as the BIMSTEC Chair rather than a direct bilateral invite.
Kobir confirmed that Prime Minister Rahman’s inaugural visit to India will be arranged as a standalone bilateral summit rather than taking place on the sidelines of a multilateral conference, while highlighting the establishment of the National Strategy Formulation Committee on Rohingya Affairs to streamline national policy.
The conference concluded with organizers confirming that a comprehensive policy brief based on the proceedings will be compiled to guide future diplomatic engagement.
THE DAILY STAR
