Dhaka: Home Affairs Adviser retired Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today called upon the United States to offer refuge to more Rohingyas as US Embassy charg© d’affaires in Dhaka, Tracey Ann Jacobson, paid a courtesy call on him. Chowdhury emphasized the significant role the US has played in providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees since the crisis began and urged for continued support and increased rehabilitation efforts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Jacobson informed the adviser that the US has already provided refuge to approximately 17,000 Rohingyas, with the process still ongoing. She also highlighted that the US is the largest donor for Rohingya development and rehabilitation, with the US-Aid agency collaborating with Bangladeshi NGOs to enhance the refugees’ quality of life.
The press release detailed that their discussions covered various mutual interests, including security, counter-terrorism, law enforcement capacity building, the Police Reform Commission, border issues, minority concerns, and agricultural cooperation. In response to Jacobson’s query regarding the Bangladesh-India border situation, Chowdhury stated that the situation is largely normal, with a scheduled meeting between the chiefs of the two border forces set for next month in New Delhi.
Regarding minority issues, Chowdhury dismissed claims of persecution, attributing such reports to Indian media propaganda. He assured the envoy that incidents involving minorities after August 5, 2024, were politically motivated rather than religiously driven. Chowdhury emphasized that Bangladesh views all citizens as equal, regardless of minority status.