‘Myanmar should come forward recognising Rohingyas as its nationals’

Speaker of Indian Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan today said Myanmar should come forward for solving the ongoing Rohingya crisis recognising the people as its nationals.

She said this while talking to journalists after a session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) this afternoon.

"India wants a peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis and Myanmar should come forward. Whether the Rohingyas are terrorists or not, they are indeed Myanmar's nationals and it should recognise them," she said. 

She also condemned the persecution of the Rohingyas in Rakhine state.

Terming Bangladesh as India's closest neighbour, she expressed her concern saying that the Rohingya issue is a problem for Bangladesh.

She also lauded Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her role in giving shelter, food and medical assistance to the hapless Rohingyas and said Bangladesh has done a lot despite being a small country with its own problems.

However, this cannot go on for a long time, she added.