‘Myanmar’s way of dealing with insurgents causes problem for Bangladesh’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today denounced the insurgents activities in the Myanmar's western Rakhine state but said the way of actions by Naypyidaw was also causing problem for neighbouring Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh never supported the acts (reported attacks on police check posts) that previously happened in Myanmar (Rakhine state)," PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted her as saying as regional grouping BIMSTEC's outgoing Secretary General Sumith Nakandala called on her at the PMO.

She added: "But the way Myanmar government is reacting, it is creating problem for Bangladesh."

He said that on the point of terrorism the premier described it as a contemporary global phenomenon while "all countries should work together against the menaces".

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation involving a grouping South and South-East Asian nations including Myanmar.

Nakandala said BIMSTEC members were working through mutual cooperation in 14 socioeconomic areas and in certain fields like transport and connectivity it made remarkable progress.

He put emphasis on holding a ministerial level meeting on agriculture to boost up cooperation in this sector. As well, he put emphasis on promoting traditional medicines like Ayurvedic and Unani medicines.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh laid importance on BIMSTEC for the development of the region as her government's main focus was to eradicate poverty and hunger from the region.

"Countries of the region are getting developed, but it (BIMSTEC) has to be more," she said.

Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi and PMO Senior Secretary Suraiya Begum were present.