India considers it a security concern, wants early solution

India sincerely wants an early solution to the current Rohingya crisis as it considers it a serious security concern.

The country already conveyed its wish that Myanmar should come forward to solve the crisis and take back its nationals who took shelter in Bangladesh amid a military crackdown in Rakhine State which began on August 25 of last year. The UN termed the military action as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

This was stated by visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale during a close-door interaction with 10 important personalities, including politicians, academics, media editors, think-tank representatives and retired diplomats, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

Gokhale, who arrived in Dhaka yesterday afternoon for talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Shahidul Haque, will also call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, apart from addressing a bilateral conclave on India-Bangladesh relations.

Meeting sources said during the nearly two-hour exchange of views, the Indian foreign secretary further noted that India borders both Bangladesh and Myanmar and thus suggested Myanmar solve the problem with Bangladesh and begin repatriation process as early as possible. 

He also sought opinions on what steps could be taken for socio-economic development in Rakhine State. He further informed that India is ready to assist Myanmar in building houses in Rakhine to help Bangladesh and Myanmar implement the process of repatriation and rehabilitation of the Rohingyas.

Participants stressed on the early signing of Teesta River Water Sharing agreement considering its sensitivity and political implications.

But the Indian Foreign Secretary said India has not reached a position and consensus for signing of the Teesta pact. Any understanding between the governments of India and Bangladesh would not be enough as no decision was possible without taking the state government on board because of Indian federalism, meeting sources quoted Gokhale as saying.

He further suggested Bangladesh increase its engagement with West Bengal which might help bring them onboard.

A participant emphasised on doing something on Teesta considering this year's parliamentary polls in Bangladesh. But sources said India would also not give any specific timeframe for signing the agreement.

Replying to a question, Gokhale confirmed that a bilateral meeting between the prime ministers of Bangladesh and India would take place in London on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) during April 16-20 when the two leaders will discuss all the bilateral issues.

The Indian foreign secretary did not reply to a question on whether India feels that Bangladesh is gradually losing its “secular nature” because of attacks on religious minority. 

He also refrained from discussing India's position on the Bangladesh's next general polls but said the election is an internal matter of Bangladesh and India, as its neighbor, wants democracy in Bangladesh.

The discussants laid emphasis on broadening trade and investment ties between Bangladesh and India.

China's engagement in Bangladesh also came up for discussion briefly when the discussants asked the why India was not making investments like China. Gokhale said India was not competing with any country.

The programme was attended by Mahjabeen Khaled MP, UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan, former Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, ambassador Mohammad Zamir, Dr Atiur Rahman, Ekattor TV Chief Editor Mozammel Babu and Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shymal Dutta, among others. Indian diplomats were also present.