DHAKA: Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday (Oct 22) said India wants to see the safe return of Rohingyas, who fled to Bangladesh following persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

She came up with her country's stance while addressing a joint press briefing at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka after the JCC meeting with her Bangladeshi counterpart AH Mahmood Ali.

‘India is deeply concerned at the spate of violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar. We've urged that the situation be handled with restraint, keeping in mind the welfare of the population,’ she said.

Sushma also said India wants the implementation of the recommendations by the the Kofi Annan led Special Advisory Commission to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

“Bangladesh and India are facing similar kind of problems. Rising extremism and fundamentalism is challenge for both of us. India is in solidarity with Bangladesh’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against terrorism.”

On the other hand, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said that he as urged India to mount pressure on Myanmar to start the repatriation process.

Sushma Swaraj arrived here on Sunday on a two-day official visit to discuss bilateral issues aiming to take forward the ties to the next level.

Mahmood Ali received her at Bangabandhu Air Force base on her arrival at 1:41 pm.

BDST: 2057 HRS, OCT 22, 2017
AP