Rakhine State, Rohingya Crisis and Strategic Importance for India

Rakhine State, historically known as Arakan, is one of the seven states of Myanmar, located along the country’s western coast on the Bay of Bengal. The state is home to the Rakhine and Rohingya communities and is known for its coastal geography, rich cultural history and ongoing ethnic conflict. Its location also makes it important for regional security and India’s connectivity with Myanmar.

Geographical Location of Rakhine State

Rakhine State’s geographical location, coastal features and proximity to Bangladesh make it important for regional connectivity, trade and security in the Bay of Bengal.

• Rakhine State lies between the Bay of Bengal in the west and the Arakan Mountains, also known as the Rakhine Yoma, in the east. 
• Its capital is Sittwe, an important coastal town and port.
• The state covers approximately 36,762 square kilometres. 
• Bangladesh lies to its northwest, while Chin State and other administrative regions of Myanmar lie to its north and east. 
• The Kaladan, Mayu and Lemro are among its important rivers.
• The mountainous terrain separates Rakhine from much of central Myanmar, while its coastline connects it with the wider Bay of Bengal region. 
• Rice cultivation and fishing are important sources of livelihood. The state is also known for places such as Ngapali Beach and the historic archaeological site of Mrauk U.

Ethnic Composition and Historical Background of Rakhine State

Rakhine State has a diverse population shaped by its history of interaction with the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The two prominent communities are the Rakhine people, who are predominantly Theravada Buddhists, and the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority concentrated in northern Rakhine.

• Rakhine people: They have a distinct language and cultural identity and form the principal ethnic community of the state.
• Rohingya community: The Rohingya have longstanding ties to northern Rakhine, but their ethnic identity and citizenship status have been contested by Myanmar authorities.

Myanmar’s citizenship laws and policies have left many Rohingya stateless, restricting their movement and access to basic rights. In 2017, a military crackdown forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. This mass displacement brought international attention to the community’s persecution and created a major refugee and humanitarian crisis. Continuing conflict in Rakhine has further complicated the situation.

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Rohingya Crisis in Rakhine State

The Rohingya crisis is rooted in the denial of citizenship, restrictions on basic rights and repeated episodes of violence against the Rohingya community in Myanmar. These conditions have forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, making the crisis a major humanitarian and refugee issue in South Asia.

Key Issues:

• Statelessness: Myanmar’s 1982 Citizenship Law and its implementation have left many Rohingya without recognised citizenship, limiting their access to basic rights.
• Mass displacement: In 2017, a military crackdown forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, particularly to the Cox’s Bazar area.
• Human rights violations: Reports have documented killings, sexual violence, destruction of villages and other serious abuses against Rohingya.
• Difficulties in repatriation: Continuing conflict, insecurity, discrimination and the lack of citizenship guarantees have prevented safe and sustainable returns.
• Renewed insecurity: The ongoing fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army has further endangered civilians and restricted humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State.

Regional Implications

The crisis has placed a significant humanitarian and economic burden on Bangladesh, which hosts a large Rohingya refugee population. It also raises concerns about regional stability, irregular migration, human trafficking and security in the Bay of Bengal region.

A durable solution requires the protection of civilians, humanitarian access and conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees, alongside the protection of their fundamental rights.

Conflict in Rakhine State

Rakhine State is also a major centre of Myanmar’s wider civil war, which intensified after the military coup of February 2021. The conflict involves the Myanmar military and ethnic armed organisations seeking to challenge military rule and establish greater regional autonomy.

The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic Rakhine armed organisation, has fought the Myanmar military to gain control over Rakhine State. Since late 2023, it has captured several military bases and towns, significantly weakening the military’s presence in the region. The military has responded with airstrikes and other attacks, while fighting continues in several areas.

The prolonged conflict has displaced civilians, disrupted agriculture and trade, and restricted access to food, healthcare and humanitarian assistance. It has also worsened the Rohingya crisis by increasing insecurity and making the delivery of aid and the safe return of displaced people more difficult.

Strategic Importance of Rakhine State for India

Rakhine State is important to India because of its location on the Bay of Bengal and its role in connecting India’s northeastern region with Myanmar and Southeast Asia.

• Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: The project connects India’s eastern seaboard with Mizoram through Sittwe Port, inland waterways along the Kaladan River and a road link through Myanmar.
• Connectivity to Northeast India: It aims to provide an alternative route for transporting goods to Mizoram and improve access to India’s northeastern states.
• Act East Policy: Better connectivity through Myanmar can support India’s trade and economic engagement with Southeast Asia.
• Maritime security: Rakhine’s location along the Bay of Bengal makes regional stability important for maritime trade and security.
• Border and humanitarian concerns: Conflict in Rakhine and neighbouring areas complicates regional security, humanitarian assistance and the movement of people.

However, ongoing conflict poses challenges to infrastructure operations and connectivity projects. Stability in Rakhine is therefore important for India to realise the full benefits of its regional connectivity initiatives.