Modi and the Rohingya crisis
President Modi of India has openly expressed his support of Myanmar on the Rohingya issue, and sided with Aung San Suu Kyi, describing India and Myanmar as partners in the crisis. He also condemned the terrorist attacks on police forces in the Rakhine state. They are concerned with the security situation in Myanmar, whereas Bangladesh is more focussed on their situation as more and more refugees flood into the country. Despite his support for Myanmar against the terrorist attack in the Rakhine state, in his meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, he steadfastly avoided any mention of the widespread discrimination and persecution of the Rohingya Muslims. Unlike the 700,000 Rohingya Muslims that Bangladesh has taken in, over all the years that they have been forced to leave their homes in the Rakhine state, India has received just 40,000. Modi vowed last month to deport them all.
This is curious because India have generally had a good relationship with Bangladesh. They have a $7 billion trade deal, set to move to $10 billion. They have other positive agreements such as border agreements. This supportation of Myanmar in the crisis has lead me to wonder if India has not quarrelled with Bangladesh? If not, why has Modi chosen Myanmar over Bangladesh?
What do you think?
Comments (19)
Well done for finding a new discussion to develop our understanding of the issue. Can you find any research about India's relationship with different groups of people within its own country?
Graveney School 16 Oct 2018
Thanks for giving me a star
Graveney School 17 Oct 2018
I agree that Modi has chosen Myanmar over Bangladesh. However, I do not believe that they had a quarrel because as you have said they are planning to increase the $7 billion trade deal to a $10 billion trade deal. Modi may be taking an economic-political approach, maybe killing two birds with one stone- handling the situation of the Rohingya and strengthening trade standards at the same time! I think he is trying to strengthen trade with other countries especially because Myanmar is more affluent than Bangladesh and Myanmar has strong ties with China which could lead to better trade with China for India. Modi may have been waiting for another chance to meet when he asked about the Rohingya situation. Ties with Myanmar could also address India's security concerns better than ties with Bangladesh.
Elaine Primary School 17 Oct 2018
I personally think that Modi is trying to actually help after recognising the plight that the Rohingas are facing. Also if India is meeting the same problem, Modi is more likely to understand the situation and may want to improve with the current state for both countries and the build a strong relationship.However the idea of trading and the business deals ,that people in Superior level face regularly,makes me think and expand deeply with strong thoughts.But, I wondered that if Modi did want to build his trading process, why chose a poor country which will only result with having business with China? And why not other major countries which is struggling to deal with country issues?But surely ,Modi's decision makes it confusing to find the meaning behind his actions.
This is a great discussion! You have shown great curiosity and asked some excellent questions. Does anyone else think they can suggest some answers?
Ormiston Bushfield Academy 18 Oct 2018
I agree that Modi has sided with Myanmar over Bangladesh. I think it's strange that he's driving all of the refugees out, however, he could have a good reason for this. Also, I don't think they're quarreling because of all of their trade deals, because why would they have done that if they fell out?
St Gregory's Catholic Primary School A 25 Oct 2018
Modi is a very important person and has been through controlling a natural disaster in Kerala and paying for houses witch have been damaged through the incident . It is very generous of him to help .
Notley Green Primary School 15 Nov 2018 in reply to beloved_chocolate's comment
Nice
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
I agree that the attacks are disgusting because people should be treated equally,including the Rohingya.
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
rohigya people should be treated better i wish this doesnt happen to india
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
10 billion is a lot
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
I think rohingya people should be treated equal even though mynanmar is not their home country
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
I think that the Rohingya people should be treated farely because it doesn't matter how they look or act
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
nice work
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
This is not fair because they are both poor countrys
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
My opinion is that they are just hurting rohingya because they ate muslims
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
Very nice informaton to know and read
Hillcrest Academy 30 Nov 2018
Sorry I was supposed to say my opinion is that they are hurting the things because people think Muslims are terrorist
Hillcrest Academy 09 Dec 2018
I agree that the attack is nasty
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