‘Constructive approach needed to repatriate Rohingyas’

Indian Foreign Secretary Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar today said a 'constructive' approach is necessary to deal with the issue of repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas, who are staying in Bangladesh and India after fleeing persecution in their home state of Rakhine in Myanmar.

Dr Jaishankar said this while speaking at a discussion on prospects of India-Japan cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Asia-Pacific regions, reports The Hindu.

Terming the exodus of a large number of Rohingyas from Rakhine state to Bangladesh a matter of concern, the Indian foreign secretary said it would have to be seen how they can return to their place of origin, adding that it would not be easy.

After holding talks with both Bangladesh and Myanmar, India feels that the situation is better addressed with practical measures and constructive conversation rather than doing very strong condemnation, he said.

The exodus has become a humanitarian emergency and a sober, locally sensitive approach is needed to deal with it, Jaishankar also said.

India is an 'aspiring leading power' in the South Asian and Bay of Bengal regions, and thus it has regional responsibilities to shoulder, he added.