Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any engagement took place or taking place with Bangladesh on the issue of Rohingyas;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) whether the Rohingya crisis has been discussed with Myanmar and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) to (d) Government of India has taken up the issue of the exodus of people from Rakhine State of Myanmar both with Government of Myanmar and Government of Bangladesh. This exodus followed military operations by the Myanmar security forces in the northern Rakhine State after terrorist attacks on August 25, 2017. The matter was discussed with the Myanmar leadership during the visit of Prime Minister of India to Myanmar in September 2017, and the two sides agreed that the only long lasting solution to the problem lay in overall development of the Rakhine State. Myanmar has welcomed India’s offer of assistance in this regard.
External Affairs Minister of India, during her visit to Bangladesh on October 22-23, 2017, had discussed this issue with the Bangladesh leadership. Both sides shared the view that normalcy can only be restored with the return of the displaced persons to Rakhine State, and that the only long-term solution to the situation in that State is rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development that would help all communities living in the State. In this regard, Governments of India and Myanmar signed an MoU on December 20, 2017, on Rakhine State Development Programme.
In order to meet the pressing relief needs of the displaced persons, Government of India has supplied essential requirements to about 300,000 persons in Bangladesh and about 15,000 persons in Myanmar in October and November 2017 respectively.
India has welcomed the signing of an Arrangement on November 23, 2017 between Government of Myanmar and Government of Bangladesh on return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State.