New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Expressed concern over the activities of armed groups operating near the India-Myanmar border and the impact of Myanmar’s internal conflict on Indian border communities during talks with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi on Monday.Speaking at a special briefing after the high-level bilateral meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said PM Modi highlighted the impacts of the conflict in Myanmar, including cross-border security challenges and the influx of refugees into India.“The Prime Minister raised this issue in the conversation today and he emphasized that these groups, their activities continue around our borders. And in response, Myanmar Army actions against them also take place very close to the borders,” Misri said.He said military operations and activities of armed groups near the border have affected people living on Indian territory.“On this side, it has a huge impact on people living on the Indian side of the border. So sometimes, there may be some damage there, or as you also said, a lot of refugees come to our side from that side of the border,” he said.

Prime Minister urges protection of Indians living near the border

Misri said PM Modi urged Myanmar authorities to ensure that military operations near the border do not harm civilians living in India.According to the report of news agency ANI, “The Prime Minister said that the Myanmar Army and the officials in Myanmar should pay attention to this and this action should be taken in such a way that it does not cause any harm, especially to the people living on the Indian border.”The refugee issue also figured prominently in the discussion. Misri acknowledged that people fleeing conflict in Myanmar have entered India’s northeastern state of Mizoram.“We all know that refugees have come to Mizoram for some time for this very reason,” he said.According to Misri, the process of returning refugees is complex but mechanisms are already in place between the two countries. “There is a system to send back refugees, there is a mechanism for that. And officials from both the countries are in touch with each other on how they will be sent back,” he said.He said Myanmar authorities do not view the people who have come to India as permanent refugees and expect them to return once the situation improves.Misri said, “The Myanmar government also believes that these people have not come as permanent refugees. And as soon as the situation on the other side of the border becomes normal, these people will go back to their own side.”

Connectivity projects and solutions to cyber scams discussed

The border issue was discussed during detailed talks between PM Modi and Min Aung Hlaing at Hyderabad House.The President of Myanmar is on a four-day visit to India from May 30 to June 2.Both sides also reviewed a range of bilateral issues including trade, security cooperation, border management and connectivity projects.Misri said Myanmar has assured India that it will make “every possible” effort to advance the delayed Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, both of which are affected by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.The Foreign Secretary said active hostilities involving the Myanmar military, ethnic armed groups and the People’s Defense Forces have hampered work on both projects, forcing the timelines to be adjusted.Separately, Misri said India has brought back 2,411 nationals from cyber scam complexes in Myanmar in the last one and a half years, while more than 150 Indians are still feared stranded there, according to ANI.He said New Delhi is working closely with Myanmar authorities to ensure the return of those still stranded.Misri said the talks also covered cooperation in trade, investment, development assistance, health, education, energy, artificial intelligence and space.