India dissociated itself yesterday from a declaration adopted at an international conference as it carried a reference to violence in Rakhine state of Myanmar, from where 125,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh, reports NDTV quoting PTI. An Indian parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan, refused to be a part of the Bali Declaration adopted at the World Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable Development held at Nusa Dua in Indonesia.

“This was in view of the fact that the declaration, which was to be adopted at the conclusion of the Forum, was not in line with the agreed global principles of sustainable development,” said a press release issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The delegation took the stance on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to Myanmar where he expressed solidarity with the government there against the “extremist violence” in the Rakhine state.

PM Modi yesterday urged all stakeholders to find a solution that respects the country’s unity.

“The country-specific amendment to the draft declaration was proposed at the eleventh hour by selective countries which referred to the violence in Rakhine state of Myanmar. India argued that specifying a particular country is unjustified as this Forum is focused on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and inclusive development for all countries based on cooperative and collaborative approach to achieve the 2030 Agenda for the world,” the press release said.

India said, “Never before country-specific issues have been included in the declaration as these dilute the objective of these Forums which require unity and focussed efforts of all the countries,” the release said.

India reiterated its stance that the purpose of convening the Parliamentary Forum is to arrive at mutual consensus for implementation of SDGs which requires inclusive and broad- based development processes, it said.

“Therefore, the proposed reference to the violence in Rakhine state in the declaration was considered as not consensus-based and inappropriate,” the release said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dring his first bilateral visit to Myanmar, said India shared Myanmar's concerns regarding the extremist violence in Rakhine, reports India Today.

Deepening relationship with Myanmar is a priority for India, Prime Minister Narendra

Modi said as he met state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi a day after meeting President U Htin Kyaw.

The prime minister also addressed the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine, where a crackdown on Rohingya militants has sparked an enormous refugee crisis. “We share your concerns about extremist violence in Rakhine state&violence against

security forces & how innocent lives have been affected,” Modi said, standing next to Suu Kyi at a joint press briefing.

Suu Kyi responded saying, “Would like to thank India for taking a strong stand on the terror threat that Myanmar faced recently.”

“We hope that all stakeholders together can find a way out in which unity and territorial integrity of Myanmar is respected. At the same time we can have peace, justice, dignity and democratic values for all,” PM Modi further said.

“Being neigbours, we have similar security concerns. Important for us to work together,” Modi also said. Suu Kyi added, “Together we will ensure that terror is not allowed to take roots in our country, on our soil or in neighboring countries.”