Trump lauds Hasina’s ‘personal leadership’ in addressing Rohingya plight

US President Donald Trump has lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “personal leadership’ in addressing the plight of Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar.

In a message to Hasina on Bangladesh’s Independence Day he also thanked the prime minister for giving shelter to Rohingya men, women and children.

“Your personal leadership has been critical to addressing the plight of the Rohingya who fled to safety in your country. I thank you for all you have done to assist these men, women and children in need,” he wrote in the message.

Bangladesh has given shelter to over 700,000 Rohingyas since Aug 25 military crackdown in the Rakhine State which was described as ‘ethnic cleansing’ by the UN.

Trump also wrote to President Md Abdul Hamid and conveyed his best wishes to Bangladeshis on the Independence Day on March 26.

“I also would like to thank you and the people of Bangladesh for hosting the Rohingya who fled from violence,” he wrote.

“The United States respects and admires your nation’s compassionate response to those in need”.

Trump also highlighted US-Bangladesh relations in both letters sent to media by the foreign ministry, and said today Washington reaffirms the nations’ partnership on democracy, development, counterterrorism, trade and investment.

“Our close partnership helps sustain the security and prosperity of both our countries,” he wrote in those letters.