The recent two-day visit to Myanmar by the Foreign Secretary of India and the Army Chief underscores a forward leap in collaboration between India and Myanmar across key areas.
Medical Diplomacy: Combatting the Pandemic
In the face of the ongoing pandemic, India has shown its commitment to helping Myanmar with its health crisis. As part of this commitment, India announced a generous donation of 3,000 vials of the antiviral drug, Remdesivir, designed to aid Myanmar’s battle against COVID-19. Additionally, India has expressed its intention to prioritize Myanmar as a sharing partner for COVID-19 vaccines once they are available.
Infrastructure and Connectivity: Building Mutual Growth
Both nations committed to operationalizing Sittwe port in Myanmar’s Rakhine state by March 2021. The parties also discussed progress on Indian-assisted infrastructure projects notably, the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. This project aims to link Kolkata with Sittwe in Myanmar, and then connect Myanmar’s Kaladan river to North-East India.
Security: Addressing Militancy and Insurgency
India expressed concern over militant groups like the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) taking refuge in Myanmar. Myanmar responded by extraditing 22 cadres of Indian insurgent groups in May 2020. Both countries jotted down the importance of security and stability in their border regions and agreed not to permit activities harmful to each other within their territories.
The Road to Democracy: Peace Conference and Democracy Transition
Myanmar recently held the 4th meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in Nay Pyi Taw. This event was a significant step towards establishing a peaceful, democratic society in Myanmar. As a result of the meeting, Myanmar’s government and ten armed ethnic groups signed an agreement for a National Ceasefire. India offered to share its experiences in constitutionalism and federalism to help facilitate Myanmar’s transition to a democracy.
Rohingya Issues: Humanitarian Support
India has been proactively supporting efforts towards ensuring a safe, sustainable, and speedy return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh refugee camps. India proposed additional projects under phase-III of the Rakhine State Development Programme (RSDP), including setting up a skills training centre and upgrading agricultural mechanization.
Liaison Office: A Step Towards New Embassy
In another significant move, India inaugurated a liaison office in Nay Pyi Taw, indicating a step closer to establishing an embassy there. Currently, the Indian embassy is located in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak Bust: Symbolic Connection
A bust of Bal Gangadhar Tilak unveiled in Mandalay Jail serves as a symbol of India and Myanmar’s mutual existence and shared history. Tilak had spent six years in this prison for defending revolutionaries Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki.
Investment and Energy Partnership
India has made significant monetary investments in Myanmar, totaling over USD 1.2 billion, making it the highest Indian investment in any South Asian country. Moreover, the two nations are fostering a robust energy partnership, with India recently investing over USD 120 million in the Shwe Oil and Gas project.
India-Myanmar Relations: Historical Ties and Future Prospects
India and Myanmar, sharing historical ties, cultural roots, and strategic relationships, have shown growing closeness in a range of areas. Myanmar’s membership in both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) holds strategic importance for India. Myanmar also plays a crucial role in India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East Policy, and its development is linked to the growth of North-Eastern India. Amid rising tensions between India and China, Myanmar’s growing proximity with China and the recent proposal of the China Myanmar Economic Corridor is a matter of concern for India.