Indo-Myanmar relations : Myanmar-An underrated neighbour

• India and Myanmar share borders 1600km over land and also maritime border along the bay of bengal sea.
• Myanmar is the only ASEAN country that India shares its borders with , hence its strategically very important.Its our gateway to ASEAN. A bridge between south asia and south-east asia.
• Religious ties via Buddhism also point to a more cordial relations
• But the relations after independence have not been very intimate. The military coup of 1962 that led to the overthrow of democracy and the installation of military junta had put the two nations on the crossroads for India was an ardent supporter of democracy and free will. Another reason was that the Gandhi family was close enough to aang suu kyi who was exiled.Diplomatic ties were hence cutoff.
• A positive impetus was given by Mr.Rajiv gandhi’s visit in 1987 followed by reciprocating visits from Myanmar. After the 1990’s India stopped exporting democracy and started to accommodate the military junta.

WHY DO WE NEED MYANMAR?

• It is our gateway to ASEAN nations.
• An imperative for the development of North-east.
• To tackle insurgent groups operating from north-myanmar.
• To tackle the increasing Chinese influence ( Sittwe-A Chinese pearl , Rohingya issue )
• For the import of pulses, placer deposits (Sb ,Au , Sn ) , natural gas and hydrocarbons.

What is India doing?

With the coming of the NLD ( national league for democracy ) in power the cards are set for a strong indo-myanmar ties. India has engaged itself in various infrastructural and non-infrastructural projects .Also through institutions like the ASEAN , BIMSTEC ,MGC and SAARC we are constantly engaging Myanmar. During cyclone ‘ NARGIS ‘ in Myanmar, India extended immediate relief and support measures along with generous aid.
NON-INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS- these include building anand temple in bagan , aids during disasters ,funding to major schools etc.
INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS
• KALADAN MULTIMODEL TRANSPORT TRANSIT PROJECT- It will connect eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata to the sittwe port of Myanmar. Further sittwe port will be connected to paletwa via inland waters, then from paletwa to Lawngtlai ( Mizoram ).This is a one of its kind project reducing the distance of north eastern states to the Kolkata port by 1000kms. It will generate employment, help to mitigate insurgency , generate crossborder relationships and reduce the pressure on siligudi corridor.
• Tamu-kalewa-kalemyo highway- the highway also called as Indo-myanmar friendship road is poised to create new frontiers in our relations with Myanmar connecting Manipur to Myanmar.
• NHPC agreements with Myanmar authorities to develop hydel projects.
• Tata motors turbo trucks assembly line with government aid.

At present all things seems to be in the favour of India-myanmar relations with the coming of Aang suu kyi’s government, increasing investments , kaladan multimodel project etc , India will be looking for a cordial neighbor in the east.

By: Dilpreet singh