China has set an example in Rohingya diplomacy. It has announced that it is a friend of both Myanmar and Bangladesh, the two countries entangled in the crisis. China wants to be constructive in resolving the Rakhine state issue. In Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Beijing has always turned a blind eye on human rights, emphasizing only economic and strategic interests. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has outlined a three stage plan. It includes ceasefire on the ground which will pave the way for the end of the Rohingya exodus, talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar to work out modalities for the return of the Rohingyas from their camps in Bangladesh and finally poverty alleviation. Myanmar state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has said that Bangladesh has responded to the proposal very warmly. It is in line with her own country’s point of view. Myanmar wanted to resolve the crisis with Bangladesh bilaterally. It has welcomed the Chinese stand following Wang Yi’s talks with Aung San Suu Kyi and the Myanmarese President.
What is a pity is that India has been outplayed in this matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Myanmar in September and could have taken the initiative. But the NDA government’s views on the Rohingya issue are far from clear. India is afraid of antagonizing Myanmar and driving it into the arms of China. Bangladesh has already taken a dim view of India’s stand. Its initiative has come too late. China has already moved in.
