ছবি: Foreign Affairs Advisor Tawhid Hossain, file photo
Bangladesh has not received the anticipated support from its neighboring countries in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis, remarked interim government Foreign Affairs Advisor Tawhid Hossain.
Speaking at a conference hosted by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS) on Saturday (November 16) at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, he highlighted the challenges Bangladesh faces in resolving the long-standing issue.
“Over the past eight years, the support we expected from our neighbors, particularly major ones, has not materialized,” Hossain said. He pointed out that geopolitical interests often take precedence, citing China’s prioritization of Myanmar due to the Bay of Bengal and India’s focus on maintaining relations with Myanmar for the Kaladan project.
Hossain further noted, “Bangladesh is caught in a web of competing geopolitical interests. While I am not blaming anyone, it is clear that each country prioritizes its own interests, which unfortunately do not align with ours on the Rohingya issue. This has prolonged the crisis, and there appears to be no resolution in sight.”
Expressing concerns about the impact of the crisis, he stated, “I do not believe this issue will be resolved quickly or easily. However, if left unresolved, it will become a global problem, not just Bangladesh’s.”
The advisor also voiced deep concern about the future of Rohingya youth, stating, “A generation of young people with no hope for the future cannot be left idle. At some point, they will pose a significant problem, not just for Bangladesh but for neighboring and other countries as well.”
The remarks highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Rohingya repatriation efforts and the pressing need for global attention to address the crisis effectively.
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