Bangladesh has not held any discussions with Myanmar regarding the reported repatriation of 300,000 Rohingya refugees, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Thursday, responding to media reports quoting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the state minister said Dhaka has no official information confirming such an agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

"If it really happens, it will certainly be very good news for us. But I do not know anything specific yet," she said, adding that Bangladesh remains in regular contact with Myanmar on issues of mutual interest.

According to UNB, the clarification came after Malaysian media reported that Myanmar had agreed to receive 300,000 Rohingya refugees currently sheltering in Bangladesh as part of ongoing repatriation efforts. The reports cited Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also claimed that Myanmar had agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya refugees from Malaysia.

Speaking during a meeting with local constituents in Chennah on Wednesday, Anwar said the understanding was reached through diplomatic engagement with Myanmar.

"That is why it is important to maintain good relations with Myanmar. They have now agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya from Malaysia and 300,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh," Malaysian daily The Star quoted him as saying.

"Why? Because we negotiated. These matters require careful diplomacy," Anwar added, without disclosing further details on the proposed repatriation process or timeline.

The reported remarks have drawn attention as Bangladesh continues to seek a sustainable and voluntary solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis. However, Dhaka has yet to confirm that any formal agreement has been reached with Myanmar regarding the return of such a large number of refugees.

Bangladesh currently hosts more than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled military operations in Myanmar's Rakhine State and are living in camps in Cox's Bazar and on Bhasan Char Island. Successive repatriation initiatives have failed to make progress due to security concerns and the lack of conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of the displaced population.

 BOB Post