Dhaka, Oct 30: The Rohingya refugee crisis has definitely pitted Bangladesh against Myanmar, although both the countries are talking to resolve the issue.
While India has not specifically declared its support for any of these two nations in regard to the Rohingya refugee crisis, China stated that it stands with Bangladesh.
At an event in Dhaka on Sunday, Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang said that Bangladesh and Myanmar will sit together and resolve the Rohingya problem.
"We also expressed our commitment that we stand with Bangladesh (regarding the Rohingya problem). We do hope that this issue will be settled peacefully as soon as possible," he said.
Earlier, the Chinese envoy stated that China has been maintaining close contact with Bangladesh on the influx of Rohingyas into the country.
"China has been maintaining close contact with Bangladesh on the matter and we hope that the situation will calm down as soon as possible," the Chinese ambassador had said previously.
He added that Bangladesh was suffering due to the influx of Rohingyas. "China is also in trouble because there are Chinese investments in Myanmar."
Since violence broke out in Rakhine State of Myanmar on August 25, an estimated 604,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh and have taken shelter in refugee camps.
However, Bangladesh wants repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their "homeland" Myanmar at the earliest. Myanmar in reply to the request of Bangladesh stated that it is ready to take back those Rohingyas who have valid official papers with them.
Officially, Myanmar is yet to recognise Rohingyas as its citizens and maintains that the members of the minority Muslim community are refugees in the country.
Recently, during her two-day long visit to Bangladesh, India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said that normalcy would return to Myanmar's restive Rakhine state only if the "displaced people (Rohingya refugees)", return.
In fact, Bangladesh has sought India's help in de-escalating the Rohingya crisis.
"India is deeply concerned at the spate of violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar. We have urged that the situation be handled with restraint, keeping in mind the welfare of the population," the joint statement issued by India and Bangladesh during Swaraj's visit stated.
India and Bangladesh said the "only long-term solution to the situation in Rakhine State is rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development that would have a positive impact on all the communities living in the State."
OneIndia News
