New Delhi: India has asked Myanmar to ensure the “safe, speedy and sustainable” return of Rohingya refugees who had fled Rakhine state following a security crackdown where hundreds were killed and thousands displaced.India’s stance was conveyed by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to the Myanmarese leadership during her two-day visit to the country on May 10 and 11. She had called on Myanmar president U. Win Myint and state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.India has had to walk a fine balance between Myanmar and Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue, as the two neighbours have continued to be at loggerheads over the fate of thousands of refugees.A press release issued by ministry of external affairs (MEA) stated that Swaraj had “underlined the need for safe, speedy and sustainable return of displaced persons to Rakhine state”.India does not use the phrase Rohingya in official documents, parleying to Myanmar’s sensitivity over this term.Over 700,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since August 2017, following intensive army operations after a terror attack by Rohingya militants on military posts.According to the press note, Swaraj “reiterated India’s readiness and commitment to helping the Government of Myanmar (GOM) in addressing issues related to Rakhine State”.She also “welcomed” Myanmar government for “continued commitment” to implement the Kofi Annan-led Rakhine Advisory Commission’s recommendations. In the past, India has said that the long-term solution to the problems plaguing Rakhine province would be “rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development that would help all communities living in the State”. Last December, India had signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Myanmar on the Rakhine State Development Programme.Referring to the pact, Swaraj said that India is already implementing various projects, with the first one to be the construction of pre-fabricated housing for returning Rohingya refugees.Bangladesh and Myanmar had signed an agreement on the modalities for repatriating refugees. So far, only one family has gone back, but United Nations agencies have claimed that the situation in Rakhine is still not conducive to ensure a safe and dignified re-settlement.After a visit of diplomats from United Nations Security Council members to Myanmar and Bangladesh, the UNSC issued a statement on Wednesday urging Nyay Pyi Taw to “step up its efforts to create conditions conducive to the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes in Rakhine State and to address the root causes of the crisis”.Meanwhile, Sushma Swaraj’s visit witnessed the signing of seven agreements – on land border crossing, assistance to the joint ceasefire monitoring committee and restoration of quake-damaged pagodas in Bagan, among others.The MEA press release described the agreement on land border crossing as a “landmark in bilateral relations” as it would allow citizens of the two countries to cross the land border with a passport and visa.