India-EU urge Myanmar to work with Bangladesh, skip the term Rohingya

A joint statement released at the 14th annual summit between India and the European Union (EU), which expressed deep concern regarding the recent rise in violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and the massive outflow of population into Bangladesh, refrained from calling it a Rohingya crisis. The statement released by the European Commission went on to say that the violence was triggered by a series of attacks by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgents, which led to security forces and the civilian population losing lives. India and the EU urged the Myanmar authorities to implement the Kofi Annan-led Rakhine Advisory Commission's recommendations and work with Bangladesh in order to return the displaced persons from all communities to Northern Rakhine state. However, they did not acknowledge the displaced population as refugees or address their Rohingya ethnicity. In the statement, India and the EU further recognised the role of Bangladesh for extending humanitarian assistance to the people in need. The summit was held in New Delhi on October 6. The Republic of India was represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the EU was represented by Mr Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Mr Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.