Today’s talks were first top-level engagement between the two countries after government of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy came to power following the historic elections that brought curtains down on decades-long military rule. Many Buddhists view Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, even though many have been living in Myanmar for generations.
Advertisement
Myanmar’s government announced last week that Annan will lead an advisory panel aimed at finding “lasting solutions” to the conflict in Rakhine state, where human rights groups have documented widespread abuses against minority Rohingya Muslims. Thousands have fled persecution and poverty.
While saying he understood the need for patience in tackling the problem, Ban reiterated that the global community is concerned about the Rohingya’s situation. On Monday, the Myanmar Army was reported to have attacked one ethnic armed group, the Shan State Army.
India and Myanmar shares 1,640km long border with India’s four north eastern states besides sharing a maritime border.
Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon’s predecessor as United Nations chief, was named by the Myanmar government to head an advisory panel to address the issues in Rakhine state.
The focus on Wednesday was on the symbolic, with few concrete proposals likely to emerge from this week’s talks.
This week’s talks are called the “21st Century Panglong Conference”, a reference to the Panglong Agreement brokered in 1947 by Suu Kyi’s late father, independence hero Gen. Aung San.
I congratulate all sides for the patience, endurance, determination and spirit of compromise you have demonstrated in support of national reconciliation.
This is Htin Kyaw’s first overseas trip after assuming charge of the top office almost five months back following the landslide victory of Suu Kyi’s party.
“However, the Government also faces great challenges”, Ban said, stressing that the steps taken so far towards peace and national reconciliation will need to be further strengthened, broadened and consolidated.
This message was both in context of bilateral ties, as well as in the regional context of providing counterpoise to the increasing influence of China in Myanmar’s affairs, which often makes Myanmarese citizens and leaders wary and nervous.
Reading out a statement to media with Htin Kyaw by his side, Modi said both sides recognised that each other’s security interests are closely aligned and the two countries agreed to work together to combat terror and insurgent activities in the region. For one, Suu Kyi herself has suffered under the military, having spent decades in detention for promoting democracy under the Myanmar’s dictatorship.
Myanmar is also dependent on China to keep a tab on some of its ethnic rebel groups.
A recent flare up in violence in the northern state of Kachin, and sporadic fighting in the northeastern Shan state has cast a shadow over the talks.
The still-powerful military has also strongly opposed talks with three groups that fought it in the remote Kokang area a year ago unless they disarm. The three groups have refused, citing continuous pressure from the military.
The agenda for the talks is unclear, but they are expected to last five days.
Mr Ban told reporters the Myanmar government “has assured me about its commitment to address the roots of the problem”.
Advertisement
“I will do my best to let all ethnic leaders attend tomorrow’s conference”, said Suu Kyi.
