Modi assures Hamid of assistance for Rohingya repatriation

FT ONLINE

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured President M Abdul Hamid of extending all required assistance for repatriation of Rohingyas as he called on him on the sidelines of an international conference in New Delhi.

"The Indian government is discussing the issue with Myanmar government," President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin quoted Modi as saying during the talks at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

He said the Indian premier's comments came as President Hamid asked New Delhi to extend its hand for safe and dignified return of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their homeland in Rakhine state.

He said the Indian premier also reiterated New Delhi's willingness to resolve the longstanding Teesta water sharing issue as he met Bangladesh President M Abdul Hamid.

"We are trying to resolve the issue . . . we are trying to keep her (West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee) on board," Abedin quoted Modi as saying during the talks.

He said the Indian premier's comments came as President Hamid explained Bangladesh's dependence on rivers for its economic, social and cultural factors.

The president said as a major common river, Teesta had a crucial role for Bangladesh's economy and ecosystem for which its equitable share in flow was very vital.

President Hamid is now on a four-day visit to India to join International Solar Alliance (ISA) conference at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Earlier, he visited Assam and Meghalaya, where he mobilized the freedom fighters for the Liberation War in 1971.

Modi appreciated Bangladesh for honouring the Indian citizens who contributed to the 1971 Liberation War.

President Hamid said Bangladesh always gives priority to the good bilateral relation with the neighbouring India and hoped that the relation would reach to a new height in the days to come.

High commissioners, senior foreign ministry officials and secretaries concerned, were also present.