Latest news with #6thBIMSTECSummit
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Myanmar confirms 180,000 Rohingya refugees eligible for return, says Bangladesh
By Ruma Paul DHAKA (Reuters) -Myanmar has confirmed that 180,000 Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh since fleeing their homeland are eligible to return, the Bangladesh government's press office said on Friday. The announcement, following talks in Bangkok, offered a possible breakthrough in the long-stalled repatriation process, although many Rohingya refugees say all of them should be allowed to go home. More than a million Rohingya have been crammed into the camps in southeastern Bangladesh, the world's largest refugee settlement. Most fled a brutal crackdown by Myanmar's military in 2017, although some have been there for longer. Around 70,000 Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh last year, many fleeing worsening hunger and violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State. Friday's announcement followed a meeting in Bangkok between Khalilur Rahman, High Representative of Bangladesh's interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, and Than Swe, Myanmar's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The 180,000 names were part of a list of 800,000 Rohingya that Bangladesh submitted to Myanmar in six batches between 2018 and 2020. Myanmar has also indicated that final verification of another 70,000 refugees is pending further review of photographs and identity details. The statement said Myanmar had pledged to expedite the verification process for the remaining 550,000 names on the original list. Myanmar's government did not immediately comment on the outcome of the meeting in Bangkok. The Rohingya refugees have little hope of returning to their homeland, where they continue to face systematic denial of citizenship and basic rights. Attempts to begin repatriation in 2018 and 2019 failed as the refugees, fearing prosecution, refused to go back. "After all these years, they are confirming only 180,000 names. This feels like nothing more than an eyewash. We want a genuine solution," one Rohingya refugee, Shafiqur Rahman, told Reuters. "Myanmar must take all of us back — not just a selected few — and they must ensure we return with full rights, dignity, and citizenship. Without that, this process means nothing to us."
Reuters
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Myanmar confirms 180,000 Rohingya refugees eligible for return, says Bangladesh
DHAKA, April 4 (Reuters) - Myanmar has confirmed that 180,000 Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh since fleeing their homeland are eligible to return, the Bangladesh government's press office on Friday. The announcement, following talks in Bangkok, offered a possible breakthrough in the long-stalled repatriation process, although many Rohingya refugees say all of them should be allowed to go home. More than a million Rohingya have been crammed into the camps in southeastern Bangladesh, the world's largest refugee settlement. Most fled a brutal crackdown by Myanmar's military in 2017, although some have been there for longer. Around 70,000 Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh last year, many fleeing worsening hunger and violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State. Friday's announcement followed a meeting in Bangkok between Khalilur Rahman, High Representative of Bangladesh's interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, and Than Swe, Myanmar's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The 180,000 names were part of a list of 800,000 Rohingya that Bangladesh submitted to Myanmar in six batches between 2018 and 2020. Myanmar has also indicated that final verification of another 70,000 refugees is pending further review of photographs and identity details. The statement said Myanmar had pledged to expedite the verification process for the remaining 550,000 names on the original list. Myanmar's government did not immediately comment on the outcome of the meeting in Bangkok. The Rohingya refugees have little hope of returning to their homeland, where they continue to face systematic denial of citizenship and basic rights. Attempts to begin repatriation in 2018 and 2019 failed as the refugees, fearing prosecution, refused to go back. "After all these years, they are confirming only 180,000 names. This feels like nothing more than an eyewash. We want a genuine solution," one Rohingya refugee, Shafiqur Rahman, told Reuters. "Myanmar must take all of us back — not just a selected few — and they must ensure we return with full rights, dignity, and citizenship. Without that, this process means nothing to us."
Times of Oman
04-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian PM Modi meets Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on sidelines of BIMSTEC Summit
Bangkok: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, their first face-to-face meeting since the collapse of Bangladesh's former PM Sheikh Hasina's government. Notably, PM Modi is in Bangkok for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, where he was received by Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the Government House. The leaders also observed a minute of silence for the victims of the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. In a post on X, he said, "With fellow BIMSTEC leaders at the Summit being held in Bangkok, Thailand. We reaffirm our commitment to boosting cooperation across diverse sectors. May our efforts bring a positive difference in people's lives." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi met with the Senior General of Myanmar, Aung Hlaing, to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. Once again, expressed condolences on the loss of lives and damage of property in the wake of the recent earthquake. India is doing whatever is possible to assist our sisters and brothers of Myanmar in this critical time. We also discussed bilateral relations between India and Myanmar, particularly in sectors like connectivity, capacity building, infrastructure development and more." Prime Minister Modi and his Thailand counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra held bilateral talks on Thursday. They discussed ways to strengthen further political exchanges, defence and security partnerships, and strategic engagement between the two countries. They also underlined the need to enhance connectivity, health, science and technology, start-up, innovation, digital, education, culture and tourism collaborations. The 6th BIMSTEC Summit is set to take place on Friday, marking a significant regional engagement between India and its neighbouring countries in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) group.
Khaleej Times
03-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Indian PM Modi arrives in Bangkok; Thai Deputy PM welcomes him at airport
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he looked forward to participating in the upcoming official engagements at the BIMSTEC Leaders' Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. PM Modi was received by Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, at the airport. He shared pictures from the airport upon his arrival, in which he was seen shaking hands and interacting with the Indian community. In a post on X, he said, "Landed in Bangkok, Thailand. Looking forward to participating in the upcoming official engagements and strengthening the bonds of cooperation between India and Thailand." Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi is set to hold discussions with Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra alongside 6th BIMSTEC Summit. Members of the Indian diaspora in Thailand chanted 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jai Hind' as they awaited PM Modi's arrival at a hotel in Bangkok. PM Modi is on the official visit to Thailand, at the invitation of Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra,. Prime Minister Modi outlined his schedule in a post on X, emphasising the importance of strengthening ties with Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the broader BIMSTEC region. He said, "Over the next three days, I will be visiting Thailand and Sri Lanka to take part in various programmes aimed at boosting India's cooperation with these nations and the BIMSTEC countries." The 6th BIMSTEC Summit is set to take place on Friday, marking a significant regional engagement between India and its neighboring countries in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) group.
Times of Oman
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Indian PM Modi departs for Thailand to attend 6th BIMSTEC Summit
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday morning to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which will be held on Friday. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a post on X wrote, "PM @narendramodi departs on a visit to Thailand & Sri Lanka." "PM will be paying an Official Visit to Thailand & participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. Thereafter, he will proceed on a State Visit to Sri Lanka," it added. PM Modi said that he will be in Thailand and Sri Lanka over the next three days to strengthen India's ties with these nations and the BIMSTEC countries. He also outlined his schedule, including a meeting with Thailand counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra and attending the BIMSTEC Summit. He will also meet King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand during his visit. PM Modi in a post on X wrote, "Over the next three days, I will be visiting Thailand and Sri Lanka to take part in various programmes aimed at boosting India's cooperation with these nations and the BIMSTEC countries." "In Bangkok later today, I will be meeting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and discussing the full range of India-Thailand friendship. Tomorrow, I will take part in the BIMSTEC Summit and also call on Maha Vajiralongkorn, the King of Thailand," the post added. In another post on his upcoming visit to Sri Lanka, PM Modi wrote, "My visit to Sri Lanka will take place from the 4th till the 6th. This visit comes after the successful visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India. We will review the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka friendship and discuss newer avenues of cooperation. I look forward to the various meetings there." Notably, at the invitation of the Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, PM Modi is visiting Bangkok, Thailand from April 3 - 4 to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit to be held on April 4, hosted by Thailand, the current BIMSTEC Chair. This will be the Prime Minister's third visit to Thailand. The MEA said that this would be the first physical meeting of the BIMSTEC Leaders since the fourth BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2018. The last i.e. fifth BIMSTEC Summit was held at Colombo, Sri Lanka in March 2022 in virtual format. The 6th Summit's theme is "BIMSTEC - Prosperous, Resilient and Open." The Leaders are expected to deliberate on ways and means to infuse greater momentum to BIMSTEC cooperation during the Summit. The leaders are also expected to discuss various institution and capacity-building measures to augment collaboration within the BIMSTEC framework. India has been taking a number of initiatives in BIMSTEC to strengthen regional cooperation and partnership, including in enhancing security; facilitating trade and investment; establishing physical, maritime and digital connectivity; collaborating in food, energy, climate and human security; promoting capacity building and skill development; and enhancing people-to-people ties. On the bilateral front, PM Modi is scheduled to meet with Shinawatra today. During the meeting, the two Prime Ministers are expected to review bilateral cooperation and chart the way for future partnership between the countries. India and Thailand are maritime neighbours with shared civilizational bonds underpinned by cultural, linguistic, and religious ties.
