Rohingya Issue: Trump praises Hasina's leadership

US President Donald Trump has lauded the “personal leadership” of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in addressing the plight of the Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh from Rakhine State in Myanmar.

“Your personal leadership has been critical to addressing the plight of the Rohingya who fled to safety in your country. I thank you for all you have done to assist these men, women and children in need,” Trump wrote to Hasina in a message on the occasion of Bangladesh's Independence Day.

The US president also wrote to President Md Abdul Hamid and extended his best wishes to him and all Bangladeshis on Independence Day.

“I also would like to thank you and the people of Bangladesh for hosting the Rohingya who fled from violence. The United States respects and admires your nation's compassionate response to those in need,” he wrote to Hamid.

Bangladesh has provided shelter to nearly one million Rohingyas who escaped Myanmar following military crackdown which the UN described as “text book example of ethnic cleansing”. UN experts and rights bodies are also finding elements of genocide in Rakhine.

President Trump in his messages positively highlighted the US-Bangladesh relations and said the close cooperation between the two countries helps sustain the security and prosperity of both the countries.

Trump in his message to Hasina said the American people and he join her in celebrating the heritage and history of Bangladesh.

“Today we recognise Bangladesh's steady economic and developmental progress and reaffirm our partnership on democracy, development, counterterrorism, trade, and investment,” he added.