India Myanmar Relations
Background:
Aftter the British conquest over Myanmar under British India Myanmar was separated in 1935 under the govt of India Act. India and Myanmar relationship officially got underway after the Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1951, after which the foundation for a more meaningful relationship was established during Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit in 1987.
Importance of Myanmar:
•Myanmar is the only Southeast Asian country that shares a land border with northeastern India, stretching some 1,624 kilometers.
•Myanmar is the only country that sits at the intersection of India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and its “Act East” policy.Myanmar is a part of BIMSTEC as well as ASEAN.
•Critical For India’s National Security Interests: North-eastern states in India are affected by left-wing extremism and narcotics trade routes (golden triangle).
To counter these threats, the Indian and Myanmar armies have carried out many joint military operations like Operation Sunshine.
Economic & Military Cooperation:
•Many Indian companies made significant economic and trade agreements in infrastructure and other areas.
Some other Indian companies such as Essar, GAIL, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. have invested in Myanmar’s energy sector.
•Kaladan Multi Model Project and Thailand, Myanmar India Trilateral Highway for trade perspective.
•India sees Myanmar as an efficient buyer of made in India defence equipments
Issues:
Military Coup in Myanmar
Rohingya Immigration from Myanmar
Way Forward:
•India’s “Buddhist Circuit” initiative, This could build up India’s diplomatic reservoir of goodwill and trust with Buddhist-majority countries such as Myanmar.
•Infrastructure projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport (KMMTT) should be financed into fruition expeditiously.
•Finally, cooperation in different multilateral forums such as ASEAN and BIMSTEC strengthens the relationship between the two countries.
0 Comments