Bangladesh has summoned Myanmar’s ambassador in Dhaka over a Rakhine state minister’s comment at a Naypyidaw diplomatic briefing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ambassador Myo Myint Than on Friday afternoon.
The ministry did not issue any statement, but bdnews24.com diplomatic correspondent Nurul Islam Hasib saw the ambassador entering the office of Additional Secretary Mizanur Rahman after 3pm.
He came out half an hour later. The additional secretary did not make any comment, when approached.
Sources, however, confirmed to bdnews24.com that he was summoned.
He was summoned as “a Rakhine minister out of the context in a diplomatic briefing at Naypyidaw said Bangladesh’s poor socio-economic conditions forcing people to migrate illegally,” said a source privy to the matter.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Sufiur Rahman was present at that briefing organised for foreign diplomats based in Myanmar.
Dhaka considered this comment as “derogatory”, and contradictory to neighbourly attitude.
The foreign ministry has conveyed to the ambassador that such comment can jeopardise coordinated efforts that Bangladesh and Myanmar want to make to bring an end to the migration crisis.
Refugee issue is the main irritant between Bangladesh and Myanmar relations as Naypyidaw does not recognise Rohyngya as their citizens.
Bangladesh sheltered thousands of them fleeing sectarian violence at home, Rakhine state.
But Bangladesh opted to work closely with Myanmar to solve this crisis particularly after the influx of thousands of Burmese and Bangladeshis in the Indian Ocean by boat.
Officials say Bangladesh has agreed to take back its nationals earlier found abroad the ship in Myanmar waters.
The process will begin after June 8, a foreign ministry official told bdnews24.com. The number would be around 150.
Source: Bd news24
