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Round The World
India’s Myanmar Policy
PRATICING REAL POLITIK
By Monish Tourangbam
Research Scholar, School of International Studies (JNU)
New Delhi, January 10, 2011
A sound neighourhood policy has assumed primary importance
within the Manmohan Singh Government. For reasons of vital
national interest and geo-strategy, New Delhi has had to
swallow a barrage of criticism and re-orient its priorities to
develop good relations with Naypyitaw (Myanmar’s new
administrative Capital). Situated just across the disturbed
eastern border of India, prudence demanded Indian policymakers
to develop a habit of cooperation with the military junta in
Myanmar.
Moreover, at a time when the Manmohan Singh Government is
intensely engaged in re-emphasizing the importance of India’s
‘Look East Policy’, Myanmar assumes increasing salience as a
sort of gateway to South East Asia.
In fact, Myanmar’s boundary with India that stretches over
more than 1640 kilometers and borders four North-Eastern
States is both a matter of concern as well as opportunities
galore if effectively managed. The border has been notorious
for its porous nature mainly exploited for smuggling arms and
drugs. But, if they could be turned into an effective bridge
for India’s foray further into South East Asia, it could be a
win-win situation for both sides, especially for India’s
North-Eastern border States.
As expected, New Delhi’s evolving relations with the military
junta has been a matter of serious debate and concern given
the inherent contradictions. Indeed, Myanmar and India are
like oil and water. No two countries could be more different
vis-à-vis the nature of their governance and the freedom
accorded to citizens.
But despite of all the difference, the two countries are
seriously engaging each other. Clearly, evident in the high
level visits that have taken place from both sides. The most
recent being the official visit of the Head of State and
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the
Union of Myanmar senior General Than Shwe to India in July
last year. Prior to that, Vice President Hamid Ansari had
visited Myanmar in February 2009.
Away from the media glare, India and Myanmar recently
concluded the 16th Home Secretary-level meeting in New Delhi.
Whereby, in their effort to tackle cross border illegal
activities, the two neighbours have ratified the Mutual Legal
Assistance Treaty on criminal matters.
According to sources, action against insurgent groups along
the international border, strengthening of intelligence
sharing mechanism, arms smuggling and drugs trafficking formed
a major part of the talks. Issues relating to border
management and border trade were also discussed.
During General Than Swe’s visit, both New Delhi and Naypyitaw
reiterated the assurance that the territory of either would
not be allowed for activities inimical to the other. Both
resolved not to allow their respective territory to be used
for training, sanctuary and other operations by terrorist and
insurgent organizations and their operatives.
India is engaged in a number of projects in Myanmar. But, more
needs to be done to further increase the volume of legitimate
figures and use the area as a gateway to further economic
integration with South East Asia. Thus, creating a sort of
transparent and enterprise-driven economic continuum in the
region that serves everyone’s interest. For this to see the
light of day, security in the border areas needs to be taken
care of so as to drastically decrease the volume of black
marketing and other forms of illegitimate transactions.
The efforts made in increasing the legitimate business
potential of this area should be integrated with India’s
larger ‘Look East Policy’. Both sides have welcomed the
increase in the volume of trade to more than US$ 1 billion per
annum. Appreciations have been shown towards the progress of
the implementation of ventures in the transport sector,
energy, telecom et al.
As the world skeptically questions whether the release of the
iconic pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi would lead to any
tangible reform in the junta-led Myanmar, India has often been
accused of settling into a cosy arrangement with the military
leaders who have denied legitimacy to the democratic movement
led by Suu Kyi, keeping her under house arrest for a major
part of her active political life.
One is also reminded of the crackdown of the anti-Government
“Saffron Revolution” led by Buddhist monks in 2007. Despite
constant and widespread international criticism, the junta has
autocratically hung on to power and hence is the only channel
of communication and diplomacy with Myanmar.
India is indeed in a predicament trying to balance its
adherence to the ideals of democracy and the demands of
national security. The debate cannot be ducked. But diplomacy
in the real world cannot be run by idealism alone, and a
country’s vital interests and national security cannot be
assured by mere adherence to textbook democratic norm.
So when western leaders like President Obama speak about India
found wanting in its response to human rights issues like in
the case of Myanmar, the Indian diplomatic core needs to make
them understand that India does not have the luxury of not
dealing with a neighbour that sits just across its porous
eastern border, home to various secessionist movements and
other illegal activities. A country like America most of all
should understand this problem given the quandary it faces in
securing the US-Mexican border.
India as an effectively functioning democracy would indeed
welcome the onset democracy in Myanmar. Following Suu Kyi’s
release, the External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in a
statement: “The Government of India welcomes her release. We
hope this will be the beginning of the process of
reconciliation in Myanmar.”
But, New Delhi neither helps itself nor Naypyitaw by going
gung-ho and solo about bringing drastic reforms in Myanmar. If
every other country is serious about doing something beyond
mere rhetoric, then there should be a concerted international
effort to pressure the military junta to open up and set the
pace for an inclusive democracy.
Besides, New Delhi has been accused enough of playing the “big
brother” in the region and India’s interference for drastic
democratic reforms in Myanmar might have negative implications
in its North-Eastern border. Also, major powers including the
US cannot boast of a very clean record if it comes to their
responses to autocratic regimes at times when their national
interests have been at stake. Diplomacy demands adherence to
pragmatism and real politik and slight dilution of certain
ideals the country is known for.
Furthermore, given the inroads China has made in Myanmar and
its expanding footprints of investments in the country, India
has reason enough to be on its heels when it comes to engaging
with the ruling establishment there. In the face of unabashed
Chinese support to Myanmar’s military leaders, India cannot
feign ignorance of what is happening across its eastern
border.
New Delhi will only jeopardize its own security by cutting off
ties with the junta. If when the winds of change blow in
neighbouring Myanmar, India will undoubtedly be one of the
first countries to welcome a democratic Myanmar but until
then, India has to walk the tight rope and sleep with the
“beast” if that is how the world sees the junta. ---- INFA
(Copyright India News & Feature Alliance)
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