Expressing concern about the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the recent developments in Myanmar have made the process uncertain.

"The situation has become uncertain due to the recent developments in Myanmar," Sheikh Hasina said in an apparent reference to the military takeover in the neighboring Southeast Asian nation.

Hasina was speaking to the media when visiting United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir met her at her official residence Gono Bhaban.

Iterating that over one million Rohingyas have taken shelter in Bangladesh, she said, "We were in dialogue with the Myanmar government with little progress."

Hasina said Bangladesh has prepared an island, Bhasan Char, about 60 km from the mainland for temporary but comfortable shelter of over 100,000 Myanmar nationals.

"More than 18,000 have already been shifted,” she said.

Officials said Hasina and Bozkir discussed various issues like the upcoming UNGA session, climate change, Rohingyas and Covid-19 pandemic, The Daily Star reported.

Hasina said currently the Leader of the House, Opposition Leader of the House, the Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the House in Bangladesh were all women.

Appreciating Sheikh Hasina’s leadership for the remarkable progress in gender parity and women's empowerment, he said  "Bangladesh has achieved tremendous success led by a lady prime minister.

(SAM)