India’s Myanmar quandary, its paradoxical policy

General Studies Paper 2

Context

• India’s official rhetoric on commitment to democracy in Myanmar is in contrast with its policy framed through the lens of its security concerns in north-east India and relations with China.

India and Myanmar

• As the land of Lord Buddha, India is a country of pilgrimage for the people of Myanmar.
• British era: Both India and Myanmar were part of British India during colonial rule until 1935.
• After independence, India and Myanmar established diplomatic relations and maintained close ties. India and Myanmar signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1951.
• In 2014, Myanmar became part of India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and its “Act East” policy.

Issues and challenges in India-Myanmar relations

• Coup by Military Junta: A recent coup by the military junta in Myanmar made it difficult for India to balance its strategic and economic interests with its commitment to democratic values and human rights.
• Weak trade relations: With a total bilateral trade of $2 billion, India’s economic engagement with Myanmar lags behind China. India’s withdrawal from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can further increase this trade gap.
• Rohingya issue: The migration of Rohingyas in India is causing issues of internal security and exploitation of national resources of India.
• Northeast insurgency: Myanmar-China border is the hotbed of local armed separatist groups operating in Myanmar soil and Indian groups, ranging from ULFA in Assam to the NSCN (IM) in Nagaland.
• Internal security: It is a major concern for India. The Indo-Myanmar border is porous and lightly policed, which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from the North Eastern part of India eg. supply of trained cadres, and arms trafficking.
• Free movement regime: The Free Movement Regime is being exploited by militants and cross-border criminals for the illegal transportation of weapons, contraband goods, and counterfeit Indian currency.
• Trust deficit: It has widened in India-Myanmar because of delays in the implementation of various projects.
• China has asserted itself through its soft power as well as through its trade and economic relations with Myanmar by taking up large infrastructure projects. Also, Myanmar is part of the Belt and Road Initiative initiated by China.

Indian policy towards Myanmar

• At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the coup, India took a proactive approach by providing food and vaccine assistance.
• However, the plight of the Myanmarese people seems to have faded from memory, with accusations of instigating violence in Manipur replacing it.
• Communities along the border have already defied the Home Ministry by providing shelter to the refugees.
• Concerns over trafficking and drug smuggling in Myanmar led to India suspending the Free Movement Regime in September 2022.
• India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the issue of infrastructure projects and stability in border areas with his Myanmar counterpart on the sidelines of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting.
• India has also supported the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ ‘Five-Point Consensus’.
• However India’s official rhetoric on commitment to democracy in Myanmar is in contrast with its policy framed through the lens of its security concerns in north-east India and relations with China.

Way forward

• India’s policy options in Myanmar are challenging, but not limited.
• The relaxation of Ms. Suu Kyi’s prison sentence may provide an opportunity for India to engage with her and pro-democracy actors.
• Additionally, the government and media must avoid blanket securitisation and profiling of incoming refugees, many of whom have ties of kinship in India.
• This approach is essential to prevent further violence and foster an environment of care and compassion.