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The Rohingya crisis: Past and present

The Modi government, like its predecessors, is balancing India's security interests in Myanmar against humanitarian considerations on the Rohingya exodus out of Rakhine state

Rohingyas, Rohingya
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The common cause attributed to the statelessness of Rohingyas under Myanmar’s 1948 citizenship law and decades of persecution or conflict is generations-old ethnic animosity between migrant Bengali Muslims and native Buddhists. Photo: Reuters

K P Nayar
On the night of December 6, 1992, a cable went out from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to Indian diplomatic missions abroad cautioning them that Pakistan might try to exploit the situation after the demolition of Babri Masjid, especially urging them to be on their guard against violence directed at Indian properties and interests.
 
In two foreign capitals, response to the cable was swift and decisive when the heads of missions conveyed New Delhi’s concerns at very high levels in their host governments. The army, which ruled Myanmar with a firm hand, was extremely sensitive to India’s apprehensions.
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