Shafey Danish
India and Burma are both old civilizations that came under the British rule in the 19th and the 20th century. Therefore the two countries are not only joined by civilisational values but also by the shared experience of colonial rule.
Both countries fought for independence and both had leaders who, after playing a central role in the country’s independence, were assassinated. The leader of National League for Democracy, the main democratic party in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, was educated in Lady Shri Ram College.
Thus the links that bind India and Myanmar are old and deep.
After the military`s takeover of Burma, India had initially taken an ideologically guided stand which asked for the restoration of democracy, protested against human rights violations, and demanded the release of San Suu Kyi. This policy, which India followed from 1988 to 1993, was abandoned in the face of growing Chinese influence in Myanmar.
Since 1994 India has followed an approach guided by geo-strategic concerns. It has not only toned down considerably its criticisms of the military Junta, it is also pursuing military and economic ties with it.
India shares a 1,650 km long border with Myanmar along its troubled states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Since the border is not very strongly patrolled, separatist organizations find it easy to find refuge across the border where Indian law cannot pursue them.
The second important element in India’s calculations, is the growing influence of China in the region. While India was lambasting the Burmese government for its civil rights violations, China was supporting it economically and militarily. This Chinese influence just at the border, could prove detrimental to India’s interest.
New Delhi has therefore reversed course and is now determined to foster closer ties with the country. Gen Bipin Joshi was the first Army Chief to visit the country in 1995. This initiated a high level military diplomacy, which culminated in a visit by the President A P J Abdul Kalam in 2005. India defense ties with Myanmar has been growing since then.
This year itself, Admiral Sureesh Mehra visited Myanmar to strengthen India`s defence ties with Myanmar.
Even though India’s ties with Myanmar have been growing at a slow pace – because of the disjuncture between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, and the usual red tape - the last week’s victory of ONGC Videsh Ltd, of three offshore exploration blocks in Myanmar seems to indicate that it is making progress. Of course it would take some time to catch up with China which has had a head start.
