The only long-term solution to Myanmar’s Rohingya crisis is rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development in the country’s Rakhine state, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday. This can have a positive impact on all the communities living in the region, ANI quoted her as saying.
Swaraj made the statement while briefing the media after a joint consultative committee meeting in Dhaka. This was the fourth such meeting involving the Indian and Bangladeshi foreign ministers. Swaraj is on a two-day visit to Dhaka to discuss bilateral ties.
Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees have reached Bangladesh in the past few months, after facing persecution allegedly at the hands of the Army in the neighbouring Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Swaraj said India is deeply concerned about the violence in Rakhine and wants the situation to be handled with restraint, with the welfare of the Rohingyas in mind.
During the meeting on Sunday, the common challenges of New Delhi and Dhaka, such as terror, radicalisation and extremism, were discussed, Swaraj said. “We are determined to protect our societies from threat of ideologies of hate, violence and terror by adopting a zero tolerance policy,” the external affairs minister said.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!