India to help repatriate Rohingyas

India has assured Bangladesh of making greater efforts to facilitate the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees who fled violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came up with the assurance when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed the gratitude for India's humanitarian assistance to the displaced Rohingyas.

"They agreed on the need for greater efforts to be made to facilitate their return, including by improving security situation and socio-economic conditions in the Rakhine State of Myanmar," said in a joint statement.

The two prime ministers agreed on the need to expedite safe, speedy and sustainable repatriation of the displaced persons to their homes in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.

Bangladesh and India today issued the joint statement terming relation between the two neghbouring countries "a bond transcending strategic relationship".

In the joint statement, Modi appreciated Bangladesh's generosity in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar.

India will supply a fifth tranche of humanitarian assistance to support the Government of Bangladesh's humanitarian efforts to shelter the Rohingyas in temporary camps in Cox's Bazar, the statement reads.

This tranche of aid will comprise tents, relief and rescue material as well as one thousand sewing machines for skill development of forcibly displaced women from Myanmar.

In addition, India has completed a first project to build 250 houses in Rakhine state of Myanmar, and is now preparing to implement another set of socio-economic development projects in the area.