Bangladesh facilitating talks between junta, Arakan Army to support refugee repatriation

By Admin 18 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

18 June 2026, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangladesh is facilitating dialogue between Myanmar's military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) in an effort to promote stability in Arakan State and create conditions for the repatriation of Muslim refugees, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said.

Speaking in parliament on June 17, Khalilur Rahman described the refugee crisis as a complex and sensitive issue requiring long-term political solutions.

He said the safe return of refugees depends not only on regional stability and international support but also on the willingness of Myanmar authorities to cooperate.

"With ongoing conflict and instability in Arakan State, forced repatriation is not possible under international law," the Daily Star quoted the foreign minister as saying. "We believe dialogue and negotiation are the only path to peace and stability, and Bangladesh is working to facilitate such discussions."

Khalilur Rahman said preparations for repatriation have reached an advanced stage and could move forward once conditions on the ground are deemed safe. However, he did not provide a specific timeline.

According to the Daily Star, Bangladesh has submitted identity records for more than 800,000 refugees as part of an ongoing verification process with Myanmar authorities.

The Myanmar military junta has so far verified about 300,000 people as former residents of Myanmar, according to official figures cited by the newspaper.