India is likely to tread cautiously on the issue of violence against Rohingyas in Rakhine State of Myanmar during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the neighbouring country. reuters file photo
India is likely to tread cautiously on the issue of violence against Rohingyas in Rakhine State of Myanmar during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the neighbouring country.
Modi, who will commence his visit to Nay Pyi Daw on Tuesday, will be the first foreign leader to meet Myanmar’s State Counsellor de-facto ruler Aung San Suu Kyi after she drew flak from around the world in the wake of the recent military crackdown on Rohingyas in Rakhine State of her country.
With his government in New Delhi signalling its plan to deport Rohingyas illegally taking shelter in India, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees on Monday reminded it of its obligation not to send back the persecuted people to the same place where they were displaced from and could still face danger.
The prime minister is visiting Myanmar at a time when the security forces of the neighbouring country have been accused of committing atrocities against Rohingyas while carrying out an offensive against insurgents of rebel Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army in its northwestern Rakhine State.
The military crackdown started after the rebels killed 12 security personnel on August 25. Human rights groups alleged that nearly 400 Rohingya Muslims – mostly civilians – have been killed and a large number of villages burnt down by the armed forces of Myanmar. This resulted in an exodus of Rohingyas from Myanmar.