Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday (17 march) underscored the immediate need for the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar's Rakhine state, emphasizing the importance of a clear roadmap to ensure their safe and dignified return.

He made these remarks during a courtesy meeting with newly appointed Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Susan Ryle, at the foreign ministry in Dhaka. The discussion focused on Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis and the crucial role of the international community in supporting a sustainable solution.

‘The process should start immediately,’ Hossain stated, calling on global actors to play a proactive role in facilitating the return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
In response, the Australian envoy assured that her government was committed to working with Bangladesh on the issue and pledged necessary support to accelerate the repatriation process. She acknowledged the humanitarian burden Bangladesh has shouldered by hosting over a million Rohingya refugees and reaffirmed Australia’s solidarity in ensuring a durable solution.
Apart from the Rohingya issue, the meeting also covered a range of bilateral matters, including trade, investment, migration, and visa facilitation.

Hossain particularly stressed the need for greater collaboration between Bangladesh’s technical training centres and Australia’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions. He highlighted that an Australian partnership in this sector would help provide international recognition to Bangladesh’s technical education standards, thus enabling greater overseas mobility for its skilled workforce.

The foreign adviser congratulated High Commissioner Ryle on her new role and assured her of Bangladesh’s full cooperation during her tenure in the country.
The Rohingya crisis remains a pressing humanitarian and political challenge for Bangladesh. Experts and policymakers continue to urge the international community to take a firmer stance in ensuring Myanmar creates a safe and conducive environment for the repatriation of its displaced people. Without immediate and concerted global efforts, the prolonged displacement of the Rohingyas could lead to further regional instability, making their swift return to Myanmar more critical than ever.
 

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