(Myanmar's generals are facing their biggest test since they seized power in a 2021 coup after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive in October 2023)
"There has been movement of Myanmar nationals to the Indian side. We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border," MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday, Nov 16, 2023.
He also asserted that India's position on the ongoing situation in Myanmar "is very clear".
"We want cessation of the violence and resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue".
Foreign news agency reports from Zokhawthar in Mizoram said that two days after rebel forces in Myanmar’s Chin state overran the junta’s two military bases close to the border with India, they have taken "control of a border crossing point" between India and Myanmar across the tiny hilly Indian state of Mizoram.
Most of the nearly 5,000 Myanmar nationals who had fled to India to escape intense fighting between the rebels and Myanmar military since early Monday morning had returned home as the situation calmed down, local leaders said, according to Reuters.
MEA spokesman Mr Bagchi also said:
"We reiterate our call for return of peace, stability, and democracy in Myanmar. Since the current conflict started, I think it was in 2021 in Myanmar, a large number of Myanmar citizens have been taking refuge in India. Local authorities in the concerned neighboring states have been handling the situation appropriately on humanitarian grounds."
He further said that India has also been facilitating the return of those who wish to go back to their country, to that country, that is Myanmar.
"And of course, for specific details about Myanmar nationals who have crossed over to India, I would have to refer you to the concerned authorities," he said.
It may be mentioned that an expanding offensive by anti-junta groups has seen resistance fighters capture key towns, military bases and trade routes near the border with the northeastern state of Mizoram. Among the areas seized by them is Rihkhawdar, home to one of only two official land border crossing points between the two countries.
“As a result of the fighting at Rihkhawdar area in Chin State, opposite Zokhawthar in Mizoram on the India-Myanmar border, there has been movement of Myanmar nationals to the Indian side. We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border,” Bagchi said.
To a question at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesman also said, "...we have engagement on cooperation with them, the neighbouring country on various issues. And I think whatever actions we take are in the light of our interests and whatever else that guides our thing. We are certainly cognizant of our responsibilities and we keep in mind all factors in it."
"....as I said, our position on developments in that country is something that's a concern, of course, and we have been engaged to try to see how we can have a peaceful situation there."
Myanmar's generals are facing their biggest test since they seized power in a 2021 coup after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive in late October, capturing some towns and military posts.
The offensive, named by rebels as "Operation 1027" after the date it began, initially made inroads in junta-controlled areas on the border with China in Shan State, where military authorities have lost control of several towns and more than 100 security outposts.
ends
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