India and Myanmar in October reviewed all matters related to their bilateral ties, including the Rohingya refugees crisis, and signed a crucial memorandum of understanding for the appointment of an operator of port that will boost connectivity. According to a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale called on Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi during the course of which all matters relating to bilateral cooperation as well as matters pertaining to international and regional matters of common interest, including developments in the Rakhine State, were discussed.

A new crisis erupted in August last year following an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group that led to a violent response by the Myanmar Army in Rakhine. This resulted in an exodus of Rohingya refugees from Rakhine in Myanmar to Bangladesh. New Delhi has sent relief material for the refugees in both Rakhine and Bangladesh.

The Rohingya people do not enjoy citizenship status in Myanmar and are sparingly given refugee status in Bangladesh. In December last year, India and Myanmar signed an MoU to develop Rakhine state. After meeting Suu Kyi, Gokhale called on Transport and Communications Minister and discussed matters related to connectivity and transport infrastructure being developed by India in Myanmar.