Govt steadfast in implementing agreement with US: Shama Obaed

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has said the government will work to implement the agreement signed between the interim government and the United States while safeguarding national interests.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, she said, “The government will move forward with implementing the agreement with the United States while protecting the country’s interests. National interests will be given priority in this regard.”

Commenting on the Rohingya issue, the state minister criticised the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina, alleging that it failed to make meaningful progress on the crisis.

She said, “No effective work was done on this issue. From that standpoint, the BNP has experience in dealing with the Rohingya crisis. We were able to address it successfully twice in the past, but the current situation is much more complicated than before.”

She also described the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border as volatile and vulnerable, stressing the need to consider security realities while working toward a solution and repatriation of the Rohingya people.

According to her, the issue is both political and diplomatic in nature.

“We need to work with both the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army to reach a lasting solution. We want repatriation, but the question is where they will return. They need a safe place in their own country. Until that environment is created, we will continue discussions and diplomatic efforts,” she said.

The minister added that discussions are ongoing with the new government in Myanmar, and that contacts with the Arakan Army are continuing at various levels.

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She emphasised that Bangladesh alone cannot resolve the crisis and that broader international cooperation is essential.

“The previous government attempted a bilateral solution but failed. We need strong cooperation from ASEAN countries, China, India, Muslim nations and Western countries, as the Rohingya crisis remains one of the major global humanitarian issues,” she added.