Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar, stressing that forcibly displaced Rohingyas must be able to return to their homeland voluntarily, safely, swiftly and with dignity.
“The lasting solution to the (Rohingya) crisis lies in Myanmar,” he said during a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, known as the Kantei, in Tokyo.
Tarique expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and the resulting displacement of Rohingya people, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.
He called for an end to all forms of violence, unhindered humanitarian assistance and dialogue among all parties concerned to resolve the crisis.
The Prime Minister appreciated Japan’s support for Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts for Rohingyas, who were forcibly displaced from Myanmar’s Rakhine State and took shelter in Bangladesh.
He also urged Japan to remain actively engaged with all parties to help establish peace and stability in Rakhine.
During the summit, the two leaders emphasised strengthening long-standing Bangladesh-Japan relations, expanding trade and investment, and enhancing cooperation in energy security, technology, space research, infrastructure and regional and international affairs.
Tarique Rahman called for greater engagement by the Japanese government and private sector in Bangladesh’s economic development, technological advancement and industrialisation.
He also recalled the visits to Japan by his father, late President Ziaur Rahman, and the contributions of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, to strengthening bilateral ties, pledging to build on their legacy and take relations between the two countries to a new level.
The Prime Minister highlighted the two countries’ shared commitment to multilateralism, international peace and respect for international law.
He thanked Japan for supporting Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman’s election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Tarique expressed his desire to work closely with Japan to strengthen multilateral cooperation and address global challenges during the session.
Reaffirming their shared vision of a free, open, peaceful and inclusive Indo-Pacific, he stressed greater cooperation in regional connectivity, the free flow of trade and economic growth.
Outlining Bangladesh’s ambition to become a regional hub for the economy, technology and manufacturing, the Prime Minister said the country can become the world’s ninth-largest consumer economy by 2030, while its gross domestic product can exceed US$1 trillion by 2034.
He said Japan holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh and recalled that it was among the first countries to recognise Bangladesh after its independence in 1971. Japan has since remained one of Bangladesh’s key development partners for more than five decades.
The bilateral summit between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi began at 11:45am local time at the Kantei.
The meeting followed a formal welcome at 11:30am, a guard of honour and the introduction of the two leaders’ respective delegations.
During the meeting, Tarique invited Takaichi to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time, expressing hope that the long-standing friendship between the two countries will continue to deepen through mutual trust, cooperation and shared prosperity.