Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina seeks India's help in Rohingya crisis

Speaking at the convocation ceremony in West Bengal, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought help from PM Modi in the Rohingya crisis.

She asked India to intervene and ask Myanmar to take back Rohingyas.

She said, "Rohingyas have taken shelter in Bangladesh. We've given them a place on humanitarian grounds. We want them to return to their country as early as possible. I request you to help us to interact with Myanmar so that they take Rohingyas back."

She said, "Together we have resolved many bilateral issues in an amicable way for the benefit of both the countries. Although there are issues that still need to be taken care of, I do not wish to mention them at this programme".

Recalling the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 she said,"We shall never forget how India stood beside us during 1971 liberation war.

She further said, "We are getting all cooperation from India, as both, the countries want to alleviate poverty in this region. By 2041 we want to develop Bangladesh into a 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bangladesh)".

Prime Minister Modi the other hand chose to remain silent in the Rohingya crisis and highlighted the cultural ties existing between India and Pakistan which he said were defined by several public policies. 

He spoke on the Indo-Bangladesh ties saying, "We could learn multiple lessons from each other and Bangladesh Bhawan is one of such examples".

He further said that the two countries were rapidly moving forward in the area of connectivity, be it road, railways, international waterways or coastal shipping. 

He also said that the last few years were a golden chapter in Indo-Bangladesh ties where complicated issues like land, coastal boundaries were resolved.