DHAKA, Oct 31, 2024 (BSS) – Home Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd) today said Australia will take more Rohingyas, forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals, from Bangladesh.

“We’ve talked about taking more Rohingyas to Australia. They’ve already taken 2,000 Rohingyas and will take more. They’ve given positive consent in this regard,” he said. 

The adviser revealed this at a media briefing after a ministerial level meeting between Bangladesh and Australia at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh Secretariat, said a ministry press release.

Home Adviser led the Bangladesh side, while the Australian delegation was led by its home affairs minister Tony Burke.

Jahangir Alam mentioned that both the countries, earlier in the bilateral meeting, discussed on enhancing people-to-people communication, cooperation in combating transnational crimes, increasing assistance, training and capacity building in civil-maritime security and maritime safety, cooperation in combating human trafficking and irregular migration, and the issue of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingya). 

At the outset, the advisor welcomed his Australia counterpart, saying Australia is a close friend of Bangladesh and this old friendship between the two countries has been strengthened through commonwealth traditions and mutual contacts.

Australia was one of the first countries to recognize newly independent Bangladesh in January 1972.

The adviser said Australian citizen William Ouderland is the only foreigner who has been awarded “Birpratik”, one of the highest awards of Bangladesh for bravery in the Great War of Liberation.

In the meeting, he also said Bangladesh always attaches the highest importance to international cooperation in preventing the growing threat of international crimes, including terrorism, financing of terrorism and money laundering. 

“We’ve a common vision and interest in strengthening information exchange and cooperation in this regard,” he added.

Australian home affairs minister said that many countries, including Australia, are at risk of various types of terrorist attacks. Australia also attaches great importance to international cooperation and information sharing to counter these terrorist acts, including cyber attacks, he added.

In the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on "Civil Maritime Security & Maritime Safety" was signed between Bangladesh and Australia. Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali and Australian Maritime Border Command Commander Rear Admiral Brett Sonter put pen on the papers on behalf of their respective sides.

The Australian delegation comprised acting High Commissioner to Bangladesh Nardia Simpson, Minister's Chief of Staff Darryl Watkins, Minister's Senior Advisor Ann Clark, Home Affairs Assistant Secretary for Immigration Emma Cassar, Australian Maritime Border Command Commander Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, Australian Home Affairs Regional Director for South Asia (attached to the High Commission in New Delhi) Steve Biddle, Bangladesh Affairs Defense Adviser Lt Col John Dempsey, Home Affairs Counselor at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi Jade Donney and Australian Border Force Counselor Superintendent Blaise Taylor.

Besides, Bangladesh delegation included Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen, Inspector General of Police Moinul Islam, Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Additional Secretary of Public Security Division Abu Hena Mostafa Zaman, Additional Secretary of Security Services Division Md Feroze Sarker and Director General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Noore Alam.