We’ve been in touch with Bangladesh to take 81 rescued Rohingyas: Indian external affairs ministry

India today said it continued talks with Bangladesh to take back the 81 Rohingyas rescued by its coast guard after finding them adrift in the high seas with no fuel and food.

"We have been in touch with Bangladesh to repatriate them [Rohingyas] back to Bangladesh. The issue figured at the recent home secretary-level talks [between the two countries]," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at the weekly virtual media briefing.

He was asked a question about the status of the rescued Rohingyas.

Srivastava said the Indian coast guard continues to provide food and medicine to the rescued people.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen had recently said that his country was under no obligation to take the rescued Rohingyas because they belong to Myanmar and have taken shelter in Bangladesh after leaving that country.

Replying to another question about the killings of opposition activists by Myanmar's security forces after military coup in that country, the MEA spokesperson said, "The situation in that country should be resolved peacefully and through dialogue."

India is in talks with "partner countries" on the Myanmar issue and keeping a keen watch on the developments in that country.