India is with Bangladesh to resolve Rohingya crisis, says high commissioner

India is with Bangladesh in “every step” of the way in resolving the Rohingya crisis, High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said after visiting the camps in Cox’s Bazar for the first time.

He says being the only common neighbour of both Bangladesh and Myanmar, India is also an affected party because what happens in the region, sub-region “affects us”.

“So we are integrally involved in the process of trying to resolve it,” he said on Monday.

“Our commitment is there in resolving the issue and to repatriate the displaced people as soon as possible,” added Shringla, “because we understand your problem is our problem.”

“We have to support you in dealing with the challenges before you. This is why we have come to Cox’s Bazaar. This is why we provide relief materials. This is why we are with you every step of the crisis,” he told journalists who accompanied him during the daylong visit.

The high commissioner handed over 1.1 million litres of SKO (super kerosene oil) and 20,000 kerosene multi wick stoves as part of the humanitarian assistance from the government of India to Bangladesh.

He also distributed relief materials among the Rohingya people while meeting them inside the Kutupalong camps.

Bangladesh is currently providing shelter to over one million Rohingya people who have fled ethnic cleansing in the Rakhine State.

“My impression is that people in the camps were cheerful, were grateful for the support they are getting from the government of Bangladesh, from the international community despite the hardship they are facing, despite the challenges they are facing and despite the very severe ordeal they underwent in recent times before they came,” Shringla said.

He said Bangladesh has done a “fairly good job” in responding to the crisis.

In September 2017, after the August exodus, the Indian government under ‘Operation Insaniyat’ extended the first phase of humanitarian assistance comprising 981 metric tonnes (MT) of relief supplies.

The relief material consisted of family packs of rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, tea, ready-to-eat noodles, biscuits, and mosquito nets.

Later, in May this year, 373 metric tonnes of relief materials, including 104 MT milk powder; 102 MT dried fish, 61 MT baby food, 50,000 raincoats; and 50,000 pairs of gum boots for the rainy season were handed over in Chattogram.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzel Hussain Chowdhury Maya thanked India for its fuel support and said the latest round of Indian aid will provide over 20,000 families with fuel for cooking for five months.

He sought more support from India particularly winter clothes and medical equipment.

“Fuel is a big problem and it's a complex issue. We sought support from India and they responded very positively. We thank them for this support,” he said while speaking at the handover ceremony.

The Indian high commissioner said India always stood by Bangladesh in times of need.

“Ours is a relationship based on trust, friendship and shared martyrdom that goes beyond strategic partnership,” he said, adding that India will continue to extend humanitarian assistance.

India is also helping Myanmar to prepare houses for the Rohingyas to live once they return.

He said India has made several attempts to resolve the issue through the visit of the external affairs minister and the external affairs secretary.

“You have seen our statement in the UN. You would have seen on a number of occasions we strongly pressed for early repatriation. When our minister went to Myanmar recently, she laid stress on 3 Ss -safe, sustainable and swift return,” added the Indian envoy.