Repatriation of Rohingyas: India backs Myanmar, Bangladesh deal
India yesterday expressed its support for the bilateral agreements signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Cox's Bazar and hoped that both countries would continue to work for their voluntary and speedy return.
Without mentioning Rohingya, a joint statement issued after Myanmar President U Win Myint's talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here said, "India also expressed its support for the bilateral agreements signed between Myanmar and Bangladesh for the repatriation of the displaced persons from Rakhine state."
India also "hoped that Myanmar and Bangladesh would continue to work together for voluntary, sustainable and speedy repatriation of displaced people currently in the Cox Bazar area of Bangladesh to Myanmar in accordance with their bilateral agreements," according to the statement.
"The Myanmar side thanked India for its understanding of the complexity of the issue and for all its support extended to Myanmar," it said.
India reaffirmed its support "for the recent steps taken by the government of Myanmar to address the challenges in northern Rakhine."
Win Myint is now on a state visit to India from February 26 to 29.
During the visit, India and Myanmar inked nine agreements out of which four related to water, power supply and construction of roads and schools in Rakhine state from where thousands of Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh.
India has already supplied prefabricated houses for sheltering Rohingyas in Rakhine in the event of repatriation of refugees from Bangladesh. The repatriation has failed to take off so far.
Five separate MoUs were also signed for cooperation for prevention of human trafficking, rescue, recovery, repatriation and re-Integration of trafficking victims, Indian grant assistance for implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIP), combating timber trafficking and conservation of tigers and other wildlife and cooperation in the field of petroleum products and in the field of communication.
Earlier, Win Myint was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi where President Ram Nath Kovind and Modi were present.
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