A marginal sea of the northeastern Indian Ocean, bounded by Myanmar, Thailand and the Malay Peninsula
UN agencies say two boats carrying Rohingya passengers departed from Rakhine in late June and may have capsized. One boat lost contact, another is believed to have sunk off the Ayeyarwady coast. Officials warn of a rising death toll as aid groups highlight dire conditions in camps in Bangladesh and displacement inside Myanmar.
Refugee-hosting states have tightened controls and pushed a limited repatriation plan while Rohingya camps in Bangladesh are reporting worsening conditions. Malaysia has begun screening Myanmar nationals for a 5,000-person return scheme and has detained and processed groups of Rohingya; rights groups warn returns could put people at risk. Cox's Bazar refugees are protesting and aid cuts are worsening hunger.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine and called for a cessation of hostilities during talks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on Monday. Putin has responded that talks are "moving forward" while officials highlighted growing Russia–India trade and energy ties.