Online Desk:  Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said that a bilateral discussion was held with Saudi Arabia focusing many issues including ways of extending cooperation for enhancing the capacity of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Police.

“They discussed ways to enhance understanding in terms of security cooperation,” he told the journalists after the meeting at a city hotel here.

Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Dr Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood led the Saudi delegation while Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal represented the Bangladesh delegation during the meeting.
Kamal said the two delegations also discussed the Rohingya issue and came up a point to on the Rohingya issue.

The Saudi delegation laid emphasis on the safe return of the Rohingyas to their homeland as soon as possible, Bangladesh minister added.

He said the KSA raised the issue of progress of efforts in renewing the passports of the Rohingyas who went to the KSA back in 1973-74 with Bangladeshi passports.

Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood discussed the issue with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan the meeting.

Many years ago – back in 1973-74, some Rohingyas went to the Saudi Arabia. The exact number is unknown to us. They (Saudi side) had informed us that the number is 69,000. It could be more or less, Kamal added.

He said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the KSA there.