Bangladesh will undertake renewed efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar by drawing on lessons from past successful initiatives, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said on Thursday.

Speaking in Parliament, the minister emphasized that despite ongoing internal instability and armed conflicts in Myanmar, the government remains committed to pursuing a durable solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis.

“Despite the current internal instability and conflicts among various ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will take effective measures based on past experiences,” he said.

The remarks were made in response to a starred question raised by opposition lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury during a parliamentary session. In the minister’s absence, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam delivered the response on his behalf.

Highlighting historical precedents, the minister noted that Bangladesh successfully repatriated approximately 200,000 Rohingya refugees following their influx in 1978 under a bilateral agreement with Myanmar, crediting the leadership of former President Ziaur Rahman.

A second major repatriation effort took place in the early 1990s, when around 236,000 out of 250,000 Rohingya refugees who entered Bangladesh in 1992 were returned under a similar agreement during the tenure of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Referring to ongoing diplomatic efforts, the minister said Bangladesh has undertaken multifaceted initiatives at bilateral, regional, and international levels to secure a sustainable resolution to the crisis.

He reiterated that the only viable long-term solution lies in the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar.

Bangladesh, he added, will continue to pursue a comprehensive approach combining diplomatic engagement, legal measures, humanitarian support, and strengthened international cooperation to address the crisis effectively.