India on Friday underlined the need for safe and speedy return of Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar while conveying to the Myanmar leadership its readiness to help the South-east Asian country in addressing the issues related to Rakhine State.

The two countries also signed seven agreements, including one that will enable people from both sides to cross the land border with passport and visa, including for accessing health and education services, pilgrimage and tourism.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation, met a galaxy of Myanmar leaders, including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and discussed border-related issues, peace and security matters and developments in the Rakhine State, including the return of Rohingya refugees, an official release said in New Delhi.

She also discussed the progress made on the projects to be undertaken in the Rakhine State under the development assistance announced by India.

Swaraj reiterated India’s readiness and commitment to help Myanmar in addressing issues related to Rakhine State. She welcomed Myanmar’s continued commitment to implementing the Rakhine Advisory Commission’s recommendations and noted that under the Rakhine State Development Programme, India was already in the implementation stages of various projects that would respond to the needs of different sections of the Rakhine State population. Swaraj underlined the need for safe, speedy and sustainable return of displaced persons to Rakhine State.      

This article appeared on The Statesman newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post