Bangladesh, Australia Discuss Human Trafficking, Irregular Migration and Rohingya Crisis

Bangladesh and Australia have discussed strengthening cooperation on irregular migration, human trafficking, maritime security, manpower exports and the Rohingya crisis during a high-level meeting in Dhaka.

Australian Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill, MP, met Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Home Ministry office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, August 3, 2026.


The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides reviewing issues of mutual interest and exploring opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation.


During the meeting, Salahuddin described Australia as an important and longstanding development and strategic partner of Bangladesh. He said the existing relationship between the two countries is based on mutual respect and shared interests in regional security and cooperation.


The home minister said the current government, guided by its “Bangladesh First” policy, is working to strengthen good governance, promote inclusive and sustainable development and expand regional cooperation.


A major focus of the discussions was irregular migration and human trafficking, particularly the movement of migrants through routes to Europe and other destinations.

Salahuddin highlighted Bangladesh’s recent passage of the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention and Suppression Act 2026. He reaffirmed the government’s firm position against irregular migration and stressed the importance of cooperation under the Bali Process, including intelligence sharing and coordinated action against trafficking networks.

Julian Hill welcomed the new legislation and praised Bangladesh’s efforts to combat human trafficking. He offered technical and coordinated assistance from Australia to support effective implementation of the law.

Hill also stressed that an orderly migration system requires an efficient and timely process for returning irregular migrants to their countries of origin. Both sides discussed ways to improve cooperation in this area.


The meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the Bangladesh-Australia Joint Working Group meeting held in Australia from June 14 to 18, 2026. The two sides had reached agreements on several issues, including regular migration, maritime security and regional cooperation to prevent human trafficking.


Salahuddin said Bangladesh and Australia had agreed to move quickly on implementing the decisions reached during the Joint Working Group meeting.

The Rohingya crisis was another key issue discussed during the talks. Salahuddin reiterated Bangladesh’s position that the safe and dignified repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their homeland remains the only sustainable solution to the crisis.


He said resolving the Rohingya crisis is important not only for Bangladesh but also for wider regional security. The home minister called for Australia to play an active role in keeping the issue high on the international agenda.

Julian Hill said people-to-people connections between Bangladesh and Australia form an important foundation of the bilateral relationship. He expressed optimism that Australia’s partnership with Bangladesh would continue to expand in the coming years.


The two sides also discussed manpower exports, maritime security and other areas of mutual interest, reflecting the broader scope of cooperation between Dhaka and Canberra.


The meeting was attended by senior officials from Bangladesh and Australia, including Bangladesh Home Ministry Additional Secretary Dr Ziauddin Ahmed and Joint Secretary Rebekah Khan.


Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle, Hill’s Chief of Staff Cameron Green, Dr Damian Oliver of Australia’s Department of Education, Minister-Counsellor for Education and Research George Thiveos, and Steven Biddle, Regional Director for South Asia at Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, were also present.


The meeting underscored the two countries’ shared interest in strengthening cooperation on migration management, security, humanitarian issues and regional stability while further developing their longstanding bilateral partnership.