September 4, 2013
India today handed
over a cheque of USD one million to Myanmar for development projects in Rakhine
state, which was hit by communal clashes last year.
Indian Ambassador
to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhaya symbolically handed over a cheque of USD 1
million for construction of 10 schools in four townships in Rakhine State as
India's contribution towards the reconciliation process between the two
communities there, an official release said here.
After the clashes
primarily between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in northern
Rakhine State, a commitment was made by External Affairs Minister Salman
Khurshid, during his trip to Myanmar in December 2012, to earmark USD 1
million.
It was India's
contribution towards promotion of religious tolerance, communal harmony, peace
and reconciliation between the two communities, the release said.
Following this
pledge, the Ministry of Border Affairs, Myanmar, submitted a proposal for
construction of ten primary, post primary, sub-high and affiliated middle
schools in four townships viz. Sittwe, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw and Minbya of Rakhine
state.
"India hopes
this modest effort will advance government and international efforts to restore
communal harmony and promote education among both communities in Rakhine State.
The money will be released in accordance with benchmarks on the progress of
work on the construction of schools and the objectives of the
contribution," it said.
Given the
neighbourly historical, cultural and religious links between the two countries,
India attaches great importance to its ties with Myanmar, it said.
"Through this
contribution and the development of the Sittwe port and river transport on the
Kaladan river, India hopes to contribute to the all-round development of
Rakhine state and strengthen the historical ties between state of Myanmar and
the eastern states of India," it added.
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