Continuing talks with the Myanmar army are a must for peace and security on India’s northeastern borders.
. The Quad Summit in Washington, which took place soon after the US setback in Afghanistan, was dominated by discussions on a ‘free, open and rule-based’ Indo-Pacific, focused on dealing with challenges posed by an ever more aggressive China.
. A notable feature was the attention paid to Myanmar. Quad noted: ‘We continue to call for the end to violence in Myanmar, the release of all political detainees, including foreigners, engage in constructive dialogue, and for the early restoration of democracy. We further call for the implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus’.
. This is the first time that India has joined regional partners, and even the US, in singling out a neighbouring country for human rights abuses.
. Myanmar shares a 1,640 km land border with four insurgency-affected Indian states — Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
. Cooperation between the armies of India and Myanmar in dealing with cross-border insurgencies is an important feature of bilateral cooperation.
. China, on the other hand, adopts a carrot and stick policy while dealing with Myanmar, like a vassal state.
. While it backs Myanmar against western economic and other pressures in the UN and elsewhere, its own behaviour is crude and exploitative.
. It has links with armed groups in Myanmar, like the heavily armed United State Army, and other separatist armed groups, particularly in Myanmar’s Shan state.
. Myanmar is being torn apart by the growing resistance to the military regime, but it is so dependent that it has to do Beijing’s bidding on many bilateral and national security issues.
. In the meantime, China itself has been forced to seek special protection from Myanmar for its 800 km oil and gas pipelines that have terminals in the Bay of Bengal port of Kyaukphyu, and pass through large tracts of Myanmar territory before crossing the border into China’s Yunnan province.
Role of ASEAN Neighbours
. Even as world opinion has been outraged at the killings in Myanmar, ASEAN neighbours are moving to increase pressure on the army regime. The heads of ASEAN governments announced a ‘five-point consensus’ that there shall be an immediate cessation of violence and all parties shall exercise restraint.
. This would be accompanied by commencement of a constructive dialogue among all parties to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people. Brunei’s second foreign minister has been appointed ASEAN’s special envoy to Myanmar.
. India’s envoy to the UN, has called for restraint by the Myanmar government, and the release of all detained political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
. US Secretary of State has welcomed these efforts, which have been stonewalled by the army regime. ASEAN leaders are also discussing the possibility of not inviting Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General to the forthcoming summit.
. Myanmar has rejected a proposal by the ASEAN Special Envoy, seeking access to Suu Kyi.
. With events in Myanmar heading for a stalemate, which can only lead to a further loss of lives, India must ensure that these events have no impact on peace and stability along its borders with Myanmar. Neither China nor Russia favour any punitive measures against the Myanmar army in the UNSC.
. India has to work with the Myanmar government to ensure that Myanmar’s actions do not result in a large inflow of refugees into its North-eastern states.
. The issue of providing a haven to refugees from Myanmar needs to be handled sensitively. It needs to be borne in mind that Myanmar has been very helpful in acting against members of the Indian separatist groups which cross the international border. Continuing consultations with Myanmar’s armed forces are essential for peace and security.
(GS Paper- 2/ International Relations)
CATCHWORDS:
• Importance of Myanmar for peace and security on India’s northeastern borders.
• ‘Free, open and rule-based’ Indo-Pacific
• ASEAN Five Point Consensus
• Cross-border insurgencies
• Carrot and stick policy
• Constructive dialogue
• Continuous consultations