Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday appealed for Canadian support in the fields of energy, agriculture, and climate finance, emphasizing the importance of the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of approximately 1.3 million Rohingya refugees to Myanmar as the only long-term resolution to the crisis. The appeal was made during a meeting with a Canadian delegation led by Secretary of State (International Development) Randeep Sarai at the Prime Minister’s office in the Secretariat.

According to the Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin, the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation, and exploring new opportunities for a strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Canada. Key topics on the agenda included technical and vocational education, food security, poverty alleviation, and renewable energy initiatives.

The Prime Minister underscored the humanitarian challenges posed by hosting the Rohingya population, noting that while Bangladesh remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance, the presence of the refugees places significant strain on the country’s economy and environment. He stressed that a sustainable solution requires the Rohingya to return voluntarily to Myanmar in a safe and dignified manner, with the root of the crisis needing resolution within Myanmar itself.

The Canadian delegation expressed concurrence with the emphasis on the peaceful repatriation of the Rohingyas. Additionally, Canada showed interest in collaborating with Bangladesh on energy supplies, particularly in oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), viewing itself as a potential partner in these sectors.

The meeting signals a mutual interest in enhancing cooperation between the two countries, particularly as Bangladesh seeks to address pressing development challenges while managing the ongoing impact of the Rohingya crisis.