Amidst escalating tensions in Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a stringent advisory, urging Indian nationals to exercise utmost caution regarding travel to the volatile Rakhine state. The MEA’s statement, released on Tuesday, highlights the precarious situation, advising against any non-essential travel to the region and prompting Indian citizens residing there to evacuate promptly. Citing a deterioration in security, breakdown of telecommunications, and acute shortages of essential goods, the advisory underscores the severity of the crisis in Rakhine. Indian citizens currently in the state are urged to heed the advisory and depart at the earliest opportunity.
India’s concerns over Myanmar’s worsening situation have been underscored in recent diplomatic communications, emphasizing the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and the establishment of an “inclusive federal democracy.” The MEA’s weekly press briefing reiterated these sentiments, emphasizing the imperative for an end to violence and unrest.
Myanmar has witnessed a surge in violence in recent months, with three ethnic minority factions mounting a coordinated offensive against the military junta, seizing control of strategic locations. The crisis has also led to an influx of refugees into neighboring regions, including Mizoram along the Indo-Myanmar border. Three years since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar continues to grapple with instability and unrest.
