Situation in Rakhine State of Myanmar is 'matter of concern': Joint Secretary MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday categorically spoke on the situation in Rakhine State of Myanmar as is a 'matter of concern'.

The statement comes after many Rohingya Muslims have been reportedly killed in Rakhine State.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also visiting Myanmar on his first bilateral state visit on September 5.

Addressing a press briefing here, Joint Secretary (Bangladesh and Myanmar) Sripriya Ranganathan said, "India will be discussing with the government of Myanmar how it can help in addressing the problem. Also, a recent attack in the State has claimed lives of many people after which India reached out to the government of Myanmar to see that what can be done in this regard. Prime Minister Narendra Modi last visited Myanmar in November, 2014 for ASEAN India summit and it was not for a bilateral meeting. Therefore, this is his first bilateral visit to Myanmar."

Further speaking on numerous interactions between the two countries, Joint Secretary stated that this visit will be one of the important ones till date.

"We had many outstanding interactions with the Myanmar Government since the new government came into office in April, 2016. We have also had a number of occasions for interaction between the Prime Minister, the External Affairs Minister and the Myanmar leadership on the sidelines of other multi-lateral meetings. We regard this visit as an important visit but one in a series of ongoing interaction which we hope will continue in the future," the joint secretary said.

However, Ranganathan said that topics that will be discussed in the meeting are culture and capacity along with maritime cooperation.

"Some important agreements in the pipeline are maritime cooperation, health, some development cooperation projects, culture and capacity ability. This visit will also review our ongoing development cooperation partnership which is a very vibrant aspect of our relationship. The bulk of the projects that we currently have in active phase of implementation and many of which have been just about completed are those which have been conceived of and agreed upon with the previous government in Myanmar," the joint secretary added.

On Aug 29, at the invitation of the President of China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Xiamen in China's Fujian province between September 3 and September 5 to attend the 9th BRICS Summit.

After attending BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Modi will visit Myanmar from September 5 to September 7 at the invitation of Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw.

During the visit, he will hold discussions with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on matters of mutual interest and also call on President U Htin Kyaw.

Apart from his engagements in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw, he will visit Yangon and Bagan.