Bangladesh has summoned Myanmar’s ambassador in Dhaka seeking an explanation over the Myanmar government’s recent statement regarding the number and repatriation of Rohingya refugees sheltering in Bangladesh.

The Myanmar ambassador appeared at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka around noon on Tuesday (August 18). During the meeting, Bangladesh rejected Myanmar’s figures on the number of Rohingya and said data registered by the United Nations should be considered credible.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson and Additional Foreign Secretary A.K.M. Shahidul Karim told BBC Bangla, “He was called to discuss a statement issued by Myanmar.”

Earlier on Saturday, the Myanmar government said in a statement that more than 300,000 of the Rohingya currently taking shelter in Bangladesh are residents of Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

The statement also said Myanmar was willing to repatriate around 300,000 Rohingya refugees once the security situation in Rakhine State improves.

However, the statement referred to the Rohingya community as “Bengali.” Following the statement, Bangladesh took the step of summoning Myanmar’s ambassador to seek clarification.