StateNew Delhi, Dec 20 (PTI) India and Myanmar today inked anagreement on restoration of normalcy and development of theRakhine State, from where thousands of Rohingya Muslimsrecently fled following incidents of violence against thecommunity.
Signed between Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and MyanmarDeputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement USoe Aung in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw, this is the firstgovernment to government pact inked by Myanmar with acooperation partner focused on socio-economic development andlivelihood initiatives in the Rakhine State.
Jaishankar is on an official visit to Myanmar.
"This is intended to help the government of Myanmarachieve its objective of restoration of normalcy in RakhineState and enable the return of displaced persons," theexternal affairs ministry said.
Under this MoU, India proposes to take up, among others,a project to build prefabricated housing in Rakhine State soas to meet the immediate needs of the returning people, itsaid.
During the visit, Jaishankar called on State CounsellorAung San Suu Kyi, Union Minister in State Counsellor'sOffice U Kyaw Tint Swe and Union Minister for Social Welfare,Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye.
"All matters relating to bilateral cooperation, includingfollow up on decisions taken during recent visit of the primeminister to Myanmar, as well as matters pertaining to RakhineState were discussed during these meetings," the ministry saidin a statement.
The foreign secretary earlier also called on Commander inChief of the Myanmar Defence Services, Senior General Min AungHlaing, and discussed all matters relating to security,bilateral cooperation as well as the situation in the northernRakhine State.
According to the UN estimates, since August more than600,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to neighbouring Bangladeshafter incidents of violence and oppression in the RakhineState.
In addition to the Rakhine State project proposals, anumber of ongoing friendship projects were reviewed, theministry said.
Issues regarding the functioning and maintenance ofSittwe port and the road from Paletwa-Zorinpui were alsoreviewed, it said.
Other key projects such as the Rhi-Tiddim road project,the Trilateral Highway road from Kalewa to Yargyi, the projectto build 69 bridges on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa road, theYamethin Police Training Centre and hospital projects, werealso discussed. PTI PYK ASKASK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.