The prolonged humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis faces mounting diplomatic and security challenges, with no clear path to repatriation.
The changing power dynamics in Myanmar’s Rakhine State have further complicated efforts to secure a sustainable solution for the forcibly displaced population.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday that Bangladesh remained committed to the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya and was pursuing coordinated regional and international diplomacy.
He was speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled “Rohingya Crisis: Way Forward – Towards Sustainable
Repatriation and a Durable Regional Solution”, organised by the Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies at Hotel Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.
Salahuddin said Bangladesh could not resolve the crisis alone, stressing the need for coordinated efforts involving China, Asean, the United Nations, Japan and other stakeholders.
Rakhine’s changing dynamics
The minister said the evolving geopolitical and security situation in Rakhine had made the crisis more complex.
Alongside Myanmar’s de jure government, the Arakan Army now controls a large part of the state.
Bangladesh was exploring various diplomatic channels, including informal contacts, to find a solution, he said, adding that peaceful repatriation remained the main goal. Dhaka would continue dialogue while keeping all options open as a last resort.
Salahuddin also referred to discussions with Sasakawa, Japan’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar and chairman of the Nippon Foundation.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the minister held detailed talks with him, and Sasakawa assured them of Japan’s full cooperation.
The prime minister is scheduled to visit Japan later this month, when further discussions are expected on accelerating repatriation, Salahuddin said.
Call for a regional strategy
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration Ismail Zabihullah said the crisis was not merely humanitarian or bilateral but was also linked to Bangladesh’s national interests, regional stability and international geopolitics.
He called for a shift from crisis management to strategic diplomacy, temporary relief to sustainable repatriation, and fragmented initiatives to a coordinated national strategy.
He also stressed protecting the Rohingya’s rights and security and increasing international pressure on Myanmar to ensure their safe and dignified return.
UN platform offers opportunity
Speaking to reporters after the seminar, Salahuddin said the election of a Bangladeshi representative as president of the United Nations General Assembly this year offered an opportunity to press the repatriation issue more forcefully on the international stage.
He expressed hope that engagement with China, Japan, India, the United States and the European Union would help identify a way forward.
Bangladesh continues to seek stronger international coordination to translate diplomatic commitments into concrete progress towards the voluntary and dignified return of the displaced Rohingya to Myanmar.