Bangladesh envoy apprises India of problems faced due to Rohingya exodus

Bangladesh High Commissoner Syed Muazzem Ali met Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Saturday and apprised him of the problems caused due to Rohingya Muslims amid their rising exodus from Myanmar's Rakhine State.

According to the sources, High Commissoner Syed Muazzem Ali said Bangladesh is facing many problems due to Rohingya Muslims as they are fleeing Myanmar to escape escalating violence in their Rakhine State.

Rohingyas are not recognised by Myanmar as its citizens and are called Bengali by them and Leaders of countries with majority Muslim populations including Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh have led efforts to increase pressure on the Myanmar government.

So far, an estimated 270,000 Rohingya refugees have fled from the violence affected Myanmar's Northern Rakhine state and sought refuge in Bangladesh where the limited shelter capacity is already exhausted, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said on Friday.

Amid a dramatic increase in the number of refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar's Northern Rakhine state, UNHCR called for urgent action to address the root causes of the recent surge in violence, so that people are no longer compelled to flee and can eventually return home in safety and dignity.

"In the last two weeks, an estimated 270,000 Rohingya refugees have sought safety in Bangladesh. The limited shelter capacity is already exhausted. Refugees are now squatting in makeshift shelters that have mushroomed along the road and on available land in the Ukhiya and Teknaf areas," said a UNHCR said in a briefing in Geneva.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to Myanmar, said that India shares Myanmar's concern about extremist violence in Rakhine state and hoped that all stakeholders together can find a solution in which unity and territorial integrity of the country is maintained.

In a joint statement following the exchange of agreements between India and Myanmar PM Modi, said, "We share your concerns about extremist violence in Rakhine state and violence against security forces and how innocent lives have been affected."

''Whether it is a peace process or any other special issue We hope that all stakeholders together can find a way out in which unity and territorial integrity of Myanmar is respected. At the same time we can have peace, justice, dignity and democratic values for all," said PM Modi.

Prime Minister said, "Your courageous efforts towards the Myanmar peace process is worthy of praise.