Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman yesterday said the government is working to facilitate effective dialogue between Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army to help establish stability in Rakhine State, creating conditions conducive to the repatriation of Rohingyas.Responding to a question from MP Shahjahan Chowdhury in parliament, he said the Rohingya crisis and its eventual resolution are largely dependent on the security situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.Describing Rohingya repatriation as a “complex, sensitive, and multidimensional international issue”, he said progress depends on three key factors: security in Rakhine, international pressure, and the willingness of Myanmar authorities to cooperate.

“Since conflict and armed violence have persisted in Rakhine for many years, repatriation cannot be imposed or carried out under unsafe conditions in line with international law,” he said. “However, our government believes dialogue is essential for creating stability, and we are working toward that goal.” He added that preparations are in their final stages to ensure safe and sustainable repatriation can begin when conditions permit. Although no specific timeline can be provided, the government remains committed to the permanent, voluntary, and secure return of Rohingya Muslims through a carefully planned process.

The minister said the previous Awami League government focused on highlighting the humanitarian dimensions of the crisis to secure donor support rather than prioritising a lasting solution. According to him, this approach shifted international focus away from resolving the Rohingya issue and contributed to prolonging the crisis. To bring renewed international attention to the issue, the interim government invited UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Bangladesh in 2025, during which he visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. A special stakeholder conference was also held in Cox’s Bazar on August 25, 2025, followed by a daylong conference at UN Headquarters in New York on September 30, helping place the Rohingya crisis back at the centre of global humanitarian discussions.

Khalilur said Bangladesh continues to emphasise justice and accountability and has supported The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).Verification of Rohingya identities remains ongoing as part of the repatriation process. Bangladesh has shared information on 829,036 Rohingyas with Myanmar in six phases. Of them, Myanmar has verified 393,503 individuals and recognised 283,086 as former residents of the country. The government is also considering third-country resettlement options, although the minister stressed that such measures cannot provide a permanent solution. “The only durable solution is the safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Rakhine State,” he said.