Arakan News Agency
India on Thursday announced a $25 million development assistance package for Myanmar’s troubled Arakan State which has become the epicentre of Rohingya exodus to Bangladesh.
India’s announcement comes after foreign secretary S Jaishankar held talks with Burmese leaders in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday.
The amount is set to be spent over a period of 5 years. Myanmar’s Arakan State has become the focus of world attention with allegation of large-scale persecution being carried out by the military forcing several thousand Rohingyas to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh.
“The amount of commitment to the development efforts is $25 million over five years which is an indicative figure and depends on the actual requirement and utilisation,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
The external affairs spokesman said there were several other aspects of discussions which included how India can help Myanmar restore normalcy in Arakan State and help in the repatriation of Rohingyas who have fled. The spokesman also added that India welcomes intervention by any country which help in restoring normalcy in Myanmar.
India and Myanmar had earlier on Wednesday signed an agreement on restoration of normalcy and development in Arakan State.
Meanwhile, as the Rohingya crisis brews, Myanmar said two journalists who were detained in Myanmar on December 12 have appeared in court and remanded to judicial custody.
Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo who were reporting from Arakan State were detained by Myanmar authorities after accusing them of violating the Official Secrets Act which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
