Be Mains Ready

• Begin by broadly highlighting the crisis of democratic transition in India’s neighbourhood and the response of India towards such crisis
• Provide a historical background of India- Myanmar relations, and importance of Myanmar from the perspective of economy, security and connectivity
• Explain India’s dilemma in prevailing circumstances and provide a way forward

Answer

In the post-colonial period, democracy failed to take roots in many newly independent countries because of military coups and dictatorship. India has been an exception in this regard and due to its endearing and enduring democratic credibility, it has naturally favoured democratic and people-centric forces in its neighbourhood.

A brief background of India’s engagement with Myanmar/Burma

• After the end of British rule, Myanmar opted for a policy of harmonious relations with India and the two countries signed a treaty of friendship in 1951.
• However, in 1962, after a military coup in Myanmar, India-Myanmar relations came under strain due to the antiIndian policies of the military regime. The policy of a“Burmese way to Socialism” hurt the interests of the people of Indian origin in Myanmar and Myanmar’s neutral stand in 1962 during the Chinese attack against India was seen as a pro-Chinese act by India.
• Later,India supported Aung San Suu Kyi who challenged the military junta in her country. The 8888 uprisings which started Myanmar’s journey towards democracy received moral support from India.
• Currently, Myanmar hosts several connectivity and development projects which have India’s involvement. It is also India’s gateway to the East’, making it indispensable for India’s Act East policy.
• Myanmar also assumes great importance in India’s internal security matters,because of the insurgency and drug trafficking in the North Eastern states.

The dilemma in India’s response

• The recent coup, the arrest of State Counsellor Suu Kyi, and the death of protestors have ended the progressive journey of Myanmar towards liberty and freedom.
• These developments elicit a response from India, as political instability there will have a direct bearing on India’s strategic and economic interests.
• India’s attempt to push for democratic reforms in the neighbourhood has come at political costs. India’s support to pro-people leadership alienated the ruling authorities, who then moved closer to China.
• India in principle supports democracy everywhere but is also committed to non-interference in the internal affairs of others.
• India’s strong criticism can further deteriorate the situation. As the past suggests, governments in India’s neighbourhood have stoked nationalism to secure popular support by projecting India’s patronizing or big brother image.

Way Forward

• The violence and Killings in Myanmar is becoming a humanitarian crisis . India should utilize multilateral forums like BIMSTEC and QUAD to generate consensus among like minded countries such as the US and Japan to pressurize the military regime.
• Countries of ASEAN should also be taken on board as Myanmar is a member of the ASEAN grouping.
• New Delhi must play its cards adroitly in a predominantly Buddhist country that was part of British India till 1937 and with whom cultural ties and people-to-people contacts were the norm till the middle of the 20th century
• India has a role to play as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It must act as some sort of a go-between the western powers trying to impose harsh sanctions on Myanmar and the military regime there.

Two major objectives of India’s foreign policy have been- securing ‘national interest’ and promoting democracy, but these two in conflict, the given situation. Still, India can manage the situation through a mix of strategies involving deft diplomacy, utilising multilateral forums and leveraging the good will and benign image in the Burmese society.