India wants return of displaced Rohingyas

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said her country wants return of Rohingyas, who fled to Bangladesh following persecution in Rakhine of Myanmar.

She came up with India’s stance while addressing a joint press conference at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka this evening after a meeting with her Bangladeshi counterpart AH Mahmood Ali.

“India is deeply concerned at the spate of violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar. We have urged that the situation be handled with restraint, keeping in mind the welfare of the population. It is clear that normalcy will only be restored with the return of the displaced persons to Rakhine state,” she said.

She also said her country also supports the recommendations of Rakhine Advisory Commission, headed by former UNSG Kofi Annan.

“We have also supported the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Kofi Annan led Special Advisory Commission report,” Sushma said.

She said only long-term solution to the situation in Rakhine is rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development that would have a positive impact on all the communities living in the state. 

India, for its part, has committed to provide financial and technical assistance for identified projects to be undertaken in Rakhine State in conjunction with the local authorities, she added.

In her briefing, Sushma, however, did not utter the word - ‘Rohingya’.

Sushma Swaraj arrived in Dhaka today for a 24-hour visit to join the meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) and meet high government and political leaders to discuss bilateral issues.