A delegation of Indian MPs, led by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, to the World Parliamentary Forum in Indonesia has disassociated itself from the adoption of the Bali Declaration as it referred to the violence in the Rakhine state of Myanmar and emphasised that any mention of country-specific issues was not appropriate.

The Indian Parliamentary Delegation to the World Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable Development maintained that the Bali Declaration was no in line with the agreed principles of sustainable development, reports the Economics Times.

The Indian delegation stated that while India continues to support achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Forum’s mandate was to discuss global issues and the overarching principles relating to SDGs.

‘Never before have ‘country-specific’ issues been included in the declaration as these dilute the objective of these Forums which require unity and focused efforts of all the countries,’ an official said.

This development took place at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Myanmar. The issue of Rohingyas has resonance in India as the country is facing demands from some sections of the society that they be deported to Myanmar.

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 and inclusive development for all countries based on cooperative and collaborative approach to achieve the 2030 Agenda for the world.

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.

‘The proposed reference to the violence in Rakhine state in the Declaration was considered as not consensus-based and inappropriate,’ an official said.