Rohingya crisis not on BIMSTEC agenda as it is a 'political' issue, says secretary general

BIMSTEC focuses on economic and technical cooperation, steering clear of political issues

The Rohingya crisis is not part of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) agenda because it is a “political issue”, Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey has said.

Speaking at an interaction with members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday, Pandey said the organisation's agenda is determined collectively by its member states and does not currently include political issues.

"The agenda of BIMSTEC is decided by the member states together. As of now, our agenda, as I explained to you, doesn't include issues which are political in nature.

“So that's where the matter stands," he said in response to a question on whether the organisation could play a role in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Myanmar, the homeland of the Rohingya refugees, is one of BIMSTEC's seven member states.

Bangladesh has been hosting more than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees since they fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017 and has repeatedly sought stronger international support to ensure their safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation.

Only a day earlier, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam had urged BIMSTEC to take a more effective role in facilitating the refugees' return.

Speaking at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), attended by Pandey on Monday, she said coordinated action by BIMSTEC could play an important role in increasing international pressure on Myanmar to create conditions for safe and sustainable repatriation.

Responding to questions on Tuesday, Pandey reiterated that BIMSTEC's mandate remains centred on areas where all member states can cooperate.

"BIMSTEC enjoys the requisite political support of its members, focuses on forging tangible cooperation and stays away from political issues," he said.

The secretary general also noted that BIMSTEC is undergoing reforms and revitalisation aimed at making it "an efficient, effective and dynamic regional organisation".