The United Kingdom has reiterated its commitment to supporting Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar and are currently sheltering in Bangladesh.

During a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat on Monday, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said the UK would continue backing humanitarian efforts for the displaced Rohingya population.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the meeting discussed key issues surrounding the Rohingya crisis and broader cooperation between the two countries.

Salahuddin Ahmed highlighted four priorities essential for improving the socio-economic conditions of Rohingya refugees: ensuring security in the camps, promoting skill development among refugees, facilitating their repatriation to Myanmar, and tackling drug trafficking and other crimes in the camps. He said the government is actively working to address these challenges.

Cooke agreed with Bangladesh’s position and noted that the Rohingya issue remains under discussion at the United Nations Security Council, helping keep the crisis on the agenda of the international community. She also reaffirmed the UK’s support for repatriating Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, stressing that the process must be voluntary, safe and dignified.

The meeting also covered a range of bilateral matters including law enforcement cooperation, police reform, counter-terrorism efforts, intelligence sharing and tackling illegal and irregular migration.

The Home Affairs Minister thanked the UK envoy for congratulating him on assuming office and described the United Kingdom as a close partner in Bangladesh’s development. He also mentioned that the two countries are expected to sign an agreement soon to curb visa fraud, with the UK already sending a draft document that Bangladesh is currently reviewing.

Cooke said stronger cooperation between the two countries is needed to prevent irregular migration, adding that experts and senior officials from both sides will soon hold a virtual meeting to discuss the matter.

According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), both sides also agreed to enhance intelligence sharing and collaboration on extradition issues while pledging to continue joint efforts to combat terrorism.

The British envoy further informed that a meeting between the home ministers of Bangladesh and the UK is expected to take place on the sidelines of the Global Fraud Summit 2026, which will be hosted by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and INTERPOL in Vienna on March 16–17.

Officials from both sides, including senior representatives from the British High Commission in Dhaka and Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Ministry, were present at the meeting.

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