Modi in Myanmar: All stakeholders must work to preserve unity, says PM

PM, at a joint press statement with Suu Kyi, also asserted that India stands by Myanmar

India said today that it shares Myanmar's concerns over the violence in the Rakhine state and asked all stakeholders to preserve the country's unity and territorial integrity, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Modi's first bilateral visit here comes at a time when the Myanmarese government is facing international pressure over the 125,000 Rohingya refugees that have poured across the Bangladeshi border in just two weeks after Myanmar's military crackdown in the Rakhine state.

The prime minister, at a joint press statement with Suu Kyi, also asserted that India stands by Myanmar amid the challenges the country is facing.

Modi and Suu Kyi held talks and discussed ways to further cement the bilateral relations.

After the talks, Modi said India shares concerns over the violence in the Rakhine state where there has been a loss of innocent lives of people and military personnel.

He said that when it comes to the peace process or solving a problem, "We want all stake holders to work towards preserving Myanmar's unity and territorial integrity."

Suu Kyi, in her remarks, thanked India for taking a strong stand on the terror threat that Myanmar faced recently.

She said together India and Myanmar can ensure that terrorism is not allowed to take root on their soil or on the soil of neighbouring countries.

Hundreds have died since Rohingya militants raided police posts in Myanmar's Rakhine State las month.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for the Muslims of Rakhine state to be given either nationality or legal status, and voiced concern about violence that has since late August forced nearly 125,000 people to flee and risk destabilising the region.