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Suu Kyi finally breaks silence on Rakhine state turmoil, invites international scrutiny

Published

9 years ago

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Aung San Suu yi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The State Counsellor admits to exodus of Rohingya Muslims but asserts that nearly 50 per cent of Muslims in the Rakhine have stayed put “despite turmoil” all around

Under attack from the global community and her fellow Nobel laureates, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi finally broke her silence on the large scale violence by her country’s military against the Rohingya ethnic minority and the exodus of the community to neighbouring Bangaldesh.

Suu Kyi, who has skipped attending the ongoing session of the United Nations General Assembly , invited diplomats of various missions in her country, on Monday, to speak to them on the issue of violence in the troubled Rakhine state and the measures being taken by her government to restore peace.

In her 30-minute address, the defacto head of the Myanmar government asserted that her regime – which is under stern criticism from the global community and rights groups for its inability to rein in atrocities on the Rohingya Muslims and perceived complicity in perpetrating it – was “open to international scrutiny”.

The Suu Kyi said that her government had “no intention to apportion blame or abdicate responsibility” over the crisis in Rakhine state and that “we condemn all human rights violations and unlawful violence”. She added that the security forces in Myanmar “have been told to adhere strictly to the code of conduct while conducting operations”, exercise maximum restraint and avoid collateral damage and loss of lives of innocent civilians.

However, the Nobel peace prize winner also sought to create an impression that the prevailing tensions in the Rakhine State were largely the result of violence initiated against the Myanmar security establishment by “armed Muslims and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA)”.

Asserting that there had been “no armed clashes and no clearance operations” in the Rakhine since September 5 – a claim that has been constantly rejected by international rights activists and even UN-appointed observers – Suu Kyi said: “We are concerned to hear that numbers of Muslims are fleeing across the border to Bangladesh. We want to find out why the exodus is happening. We would like to talk to those who have fled, and those who have stayed — more than 50 per cent of villages of Muslims are intact and are as they were before the attacks took place”.

The State Counsellor also sought to underplay the atrocities on the Rohingya Muslims – considered the world’s most persecuted minority – by claiming that the attention of the world was only on people of this community while those fleeing the Rakhine also included other minorities which “the world doesn’t know of”.

However, she did assert that: “We feel deeply for the suffering of all the people who have been caught up in the conflict. Those who have had to flee their homes are many, not just Muslims and Rakhines, but also small minority groups. The government is working to restore the situation to normalcy.”

Suu Kyi assured the diplomatic corps present at the venue that her government was “prepared to start the verification process of refugees (who moved to Bangladesh from the Rakhine) who wish to return” to Myanmar and insisted that “those who have been verified as refugees will be accepted without any problems and with full assurance of security and access to humanitarian aid.”

Insisting that her government “wants to find out what the real problems (facing the Rakhine state) are”, the State Counsellor said: “there are allegations and counter allegations and we have to listen to all of them and make sure that these allegations are based on solid evidence before we take any action.”

Suu Kyi said that her government was open to take action “against all people, regardless of their religion, race or political position” and insisted that “Myanmar has never been soft on human rights”.

She underlined that the people of Myanmar “want peace rather than war, harmony rather than conflict” and said that her government “doesn’t want Myanmar to be divided on the basis of religious beliefs, ethnicities or political ideology.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Trump calls PM Modi friend, says had very good conversation amid West Asia tensions

Trump described PM Modi as a friend after a 40-minute call focusing on Iran tensions, trade and strategic ties.

Published

3 hours ago

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US President Donald Trump described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “friend” and said the two leaders had a “very good conversation” during a recent phone call held amid rising tensions in West Asia.

The call, which lasted around 40 minutes, comes shortly after developments in the ongoing Iran-related conflict and diplomatic efforts in the region. During the conversation, both leaders discussed key issues including regional security, trade, and bilateral cooperation.

The interaction marks one of the first high-level engagements between the two leaders following recent ceasefire-related developments involving the United States and Iran. The evolving situation in West Asia, including concerns around stability and global energy routes, was a significant focus of the discussion.

Officials indicated that the leaders also reviewed progress in India-US ties and reiterated their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership across multiple sectors.

The phone call reflects continued coordination between New Delhi and Washington as geopolitical tensions persist in the Middle East, with both sides maintaining close communication on global and regional issues.

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Israel-Lebanon ceasefire to begin within hours as Trump announces 10-day truce

Israel and Lebanon may begin a 10-day ceasefire within hours after a proposal announced by Donald Trump amid ongoing tensions.

Published

16 hours ago

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April 16, 2026

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Donald Trump

A temporary halt in hostilities between Israel and Lebanon is expected to begin within hours after US President Donald Trump announced a proposed 10-day ceasefire between the two sides, amid ongoing tensions in the region.

According to his statement, the ceasefire is likely to take effect around 5 p.m. Eastern Time, although independent confirmation from both sides is still awaited.

The development follows discussions involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, with mediation efforts led by the United States.

Officials indicated that the proposed truce is aimed at creating a limited window to reduce violence and potentially pave the way for broader diplomatic engagement. The situation along the Israel-Lebanon border has remained tense in recent weeks, with escalation linked to the activities of Hezbollah.

Diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent days, with discussions facilitated by the United States, including the involvement of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, details of the agreement and the extent of coordination between the parties remain unclear.

The situation remains fluid, and the success of the ceasefire will depend on adherence by all sides involved. The conflict has already led to significant humanitarian and geopolitical consequences, including displacement and disruption in affected areas.

While the proposed ceasefire is being seen as an important step toward de-escalation, broader negotiations involving regional stakeholders are expected to be necessary for any lasting resolution.

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US ends oil sanctions waiver for Iran and Russia, impact likely on India’s energy imports

The US decision to end the Iran and Russia oil waiver may impact India’s oil imports, fuel prices and global energy markets.

Published

1 day ago

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April 16, 2026

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The United States has decided not to extend a temporary sanctions waiver that allowed limited trade in Iranian and Russian oil, marking a shift towards stricter enforcement of economic restrictions.

The waiver, introduced in March 2026, had permitted the sale of oil already loaded on ships to stabilise global supply during heightened geopolitical tensions. However, it is now set to expire around mid-April without renewal.

US officials have indicated that the move is part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on both Iran and Russia amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.

What the waiver did and why it mattered

The short-term waiver allowed millions of barrels of oil—estimated at around 140 million barrels—to enter global markets, helping ease supply shortages and prevent sharp price spikes.

It also enabled countries like India to purchase discounted crude oil from Russia and resume limited imports from Iran after years of restrictions.

Impact on India

India, one of the world’s largest oil importers, is expected to feel the impact of the decision in several ways:

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  • Potential rise in fuel costs
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  • Supply diversification pressure
     India may need to explore alternative suppliers in the Middle East, Africa, or the US to maintain energy security.
  • Geopolitical balancing challenge
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Global energy market concerns

The end of the waiver comes at a time when global oil markets are already under stress due to conflict in West Asia and disruptions in key routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts warn that tightening sanctions could:

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Bigger picture

The US decision reflects a broader shift from temporary relief measures to stricter enforcement of sanctions, even if it risks tightening global energy markets.

For India, the development highlights a recurring challenge—balancing affordable energy access with geopolitical realities.

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