Stopping Rohingya Infiltration turns difficult: Touhid

Rohingyas continue to enter Bangladesh through corruption at the borders, making it extremely challenging to stop the infiltration, said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.

"We must acknowledge that corruption at the borders plays a significant role in this issue. Rohingyas are entering by boat and through multiple border points, making it very difficult to control," he told reporters at the Foreign Ministry on Sunday (December 22).

Touhid Hossain shared details of a recent informal consultation meeting in Thailand involving Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, China, and Laos. He emphasized that Bangladesh has urged Myanmar to address the border and Rakhine issues to mitigate the crisis.

While some fear a fresh wave of Rohingya influx, Touhid dismissed immediate concerns, stating, "I don't think another wave of Rohingyas will come, although we share similar fears. We must work with the international community to prevent such a situation."

He reported that 60,000 new Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh in the past two months. "Our principle stance is not to allow more Rohingyas in, but circumstances sometimes leave us with no choice. These recent infiltrations happened through unofficial routes," he said.

The adviser said Thailand meeting addressed three critical issues – border management, drugs, arms, and human trafficking, and Myanmar’s political future and current crisis.

Participants included Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister U Thant Soe, Laos' Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, and Bangladesh's delegation led by Touhid Hossain.

Touhid said that border control in Myanmar has deteriorated, with non-state actors such as the Arakan Army gaining control. "I told Myanmar, as a state, you cannot negotiate with non-actors. Resolving the border and Rakhine issues is their responsibility," he added.

The meeting also highlighted concerns over scam centers along the border, internet-related crimes, and drug trafficking. Bangladesh urged Myanmar to take appropriate measures to address these issues.

Touhid warned that the unresolved Rohingya crisis threatens regional stability. "If the Rohingya problem remains unresolved, the peace and stability you envision will never be achieved," he said, adding that international cooperation is critical to finding a sustainable solution.