New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Thursday expressed concern over violence near the India-Myanmar border, and while confirming that several Myanmar nationals have fled into the neighbouring Indian state of Mizoram, did not specify how many.
Earlier this week, Resistance forces in Myanmar seized power near the Chin state, posing the biggest test the junta in Myanmar has faced since grabbing power in February 2021. Myanmarese soldiers as well as civilians have reportedly fled into Mizoram as fighting continues in Rikhawdar — less than 10 km from Zokhawthar on the Indian side.
“There has been movement of Myanmar nationals to the India side. We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to the border,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a weekly briefing Thursday.
He reiterated India’s call for cessation of violence, and “return of peace, stability and democracy” in Myanmar.
“Since the current conflict started, a large number of Myanmar citizens have taken refuge in India. Local authorities in concerned neighbouring states have been handling the situation appropriately on humanitarian grounds. We have also been facilitating the return of those who wish to go back to Myanmar,” he added, without specifying how many Myanmarese citizens have crossed into India during the recent spate of violence.
Also Read: India not ruling out probe into Nijjar killing but Canada yet to provide evidence, says Jaishankar
‘Appeal process in Qatar underway’
Days after India filed an appeal against a Qatari court’s decision to sentence eight Indian Navy veterans to death, the MEA clarified that the appeal process is ongoing and disputed reports suggesting that the appeal had been rejected.
“This is a sensitive case. It is currently in a legal process there. An appeal has been filed and we are engaged with Qatari authorities on the matter,” he said.
Bagchi added, “An appeal has been filed. I am not aware of any decision at all by the Court of Appeal in this regard. I had seen some reports that they had been adjudicated upon and I don’t think that’s factually accurate. The appeal process is underway and we would hope for a positive outcome.”
On 26 October, eight Indian Navy veterans were sentenced to death by a court in Qatar, though the charges have still not been made public. The MEA had at the time called the verdict “shocking” and pledged to take up the matter with Qatari authorities.
The eight former officers worked for Dahra Global Technologies & Consulting Services, a company engaged in training Qatari navy personnel. Last August, they were picked up by Qatari intelligence authorities and incarcerated in Doha.
During the briefing, the MEA spokesperson noted the sensitive nature of the case, adding that “the judgment and the entire process has been made confidential by the Qatari side”.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
Also Read: 2+2 dialogue: India & US to deepen defence cooperation. MQ9B drones, Stryker discussed