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International relations > India and Neighbours > India- Myanmar
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India has called for a cessation of fighting between Myanmar’s military and anti-junta groups near the India-Myanmar border that has triggered an influx of Myanmar refugees to Mizoram.
ABOUT INDIA-MYANMAR RELATIONS
Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbours and shares a 1640 km long border with the north-eastern states of Nagaland and Manipur.
India has “historical ties and traditional bonds of friendship and cooperation” with Myanmar Five Bs are the base of India-Myanmar relations – Buddhism, Business, Bollywood, Bharatnatyam, and Burma teak.
India attaches its partnership with Myanmar under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies.
HISTORY OF INDIA-MYANMAR RELATIONS.
Pre-1937: Cultural and religious ties rooted in ancient Buddhist exchanges.
1937 Separation: Burma's separation from India, leading to distinct political paths.
Post-1962 Coup: Deteriorating relations due to Myanmar's military coup and shift towards China.
1990s Shift: India's strategic re-engagement with Myanmar through its Look East Policy.
2015 Democracy: Improved bilateral relations following Myanmar's democratic transition.
2021 Coup: Renewed instability and challenges in relations due to Myanmar's military takeover.
SIGNIFICANCE OF INDIA-MYANMAR RELATIONS
Cultural Linkages
Given India’s Buddhist heritage, India and Myanmar share close cultural ties and a sense of deep kinship.
Ex: Free movement regime
Geographical Significance
India shares a long land border of over 1643 km with Myanmar and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
It is the only ASEAN country adjoining India and, therefore, is a gateway to South East Asia.
India seeks to enhance its cooperation with Myanmar in line with our ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policies.
Commercial Cooperation:
India is the fifth-largest trading partner of Myanmar. The bilateral trade stood at US$ 1.03 billion in 2021-22. Ex: ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme, BIMSTEC Free trade agreement.
Investment:
India stands at 11th position with an approved investment of US$ 773.038 million by 34 Indian enterprises as of 31 January 2022.
The Shan plateau of Myanmar is abundant in petroleum and mineral resources which Indian companies have huge investments.
Ex: ONGC Videsh Limited, GAIL etc.
Energy Cooperation
Joint Working Group (JWG) on Oil and Gas
Joint Steering Committee (JSC) & a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Power Cooperation
Joint Working Group (JWG) on Renewable Energy.
Development Cooperation
India’s development assistance portfolio in Myanmar is now over US $1.75 billion
Ex: Myanmar Institute of Information Technology, Advanced Centre for Agricultural Research and Education, Myanmar-India Centre for Enhancement of IT Skills, Rakhine State Development Programme, etc
Security Significance
Myanmar’s political stability is important for India’s regional security concerns. Instability in Myanmar could spill over into India’s northeastern states, posing challenges for border security and ethnic insurgencies. India has provided military assistance to Myanmar to help address security threats along the shared border.
Ex: IMBEX military exercise
Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief
Ex: ‘Operation Karuna’ to assist Myanmar which has been devastated by Cyclone Mocha.
20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses
CHALLENGES IN INDIA-MYANMAR RELATIONS
Political Instability in Myanmar: The frequent military coups and political unrest in Myanmar, including the 2021 coup, create an unpredictable environment. This instability complicates India's diplomatic and strategic calculations, as it needs a stable and cooperative government in Myanmar for regional security and connectivity projects.
China's Growing Influence: China's deepening footprint in Myanmar through investments, infrastructure projects like the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and military cooperation poses a strategic challenge for India. This increasing influence threatens to reduce India's leverage in Myanmar and the broader region.
Refugee Crisis and Border Management: The political turmoil in Myanmar has led to refugee influxes(54,100 Myanmar Nationals) into Indian states bordering Myanmar, particularly following the military crackdowns. This situation strains local resources, creates security concerns, and complicates India's domestic politics, especially in states like Mizoram and Manipur.
Rohingya Refugee Issue: The Rohingya crisis poses a humanitarian and security challenge for India. The influx of refugees raises concerns about potential security threats, given the region's complex insurgency landscape, and puts India in a difficult position in terms of balancing humanitarian obligations with security imperatives.
Drug Trafficking and Insurgency: Myanmar's role as a major opium producer in the Golden Triangle impacts India, especially its northeastern states, with increased drug trafficking and related criminal activities. Additionally, insurgent groups in Northeast India have historically found refuge and support in Myanmar, complicating security operations.
Economic and Trade Issues: Despite potential, the economic and trade relationship between India and Myanmar is not fully realized. Infrastructure inadequacies, bureaucratic hurdles, and policy inconsistencies have impeded the growth of bilateral trade and investment.
Delayed Infrastructure Projects: Several India-Myanmar joint projects, such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, have experienced significant delays. These delays hinder the strategic and economic benefits envisaged through these initiatives.
Human Rights Concerns: India faces international pressure to take a stronger stand on human rights issues in Myanmar, especially concerning the Rohingya community. Balancing its strategic interests with global human rights expectations remains a challenge.
Environmental Concerns: Activities such as deforestation in Myanmar have transboundary environmental impacts. The cross-border movement of pollutants and the decline in fish stocks in shared rivers are areas of concern.
WAY FORWARD
Improving connectivity: India should work for the timely completion of connectivity projects such as the IMT Highway
Balanced approach:
Tackling common security threats
Adopt Gujral doctrine in improving relations (Gujral Doctrine is a set of five principles to guide the conduct of foreign relations with India’s immediate neighbours.)
India’s cultural diplomacy through the lens of Buddhism can be leveraged to strengthen its ties with Myanmar.
India’s “Buddhist Circuit” initiative, which seeks to double foreign tourist arrivals by connecting ancient Buddhist heritage sites across different states in India, should resonate with Buddhist-majority Myanmar.
The quicker the Rohingya issue is resolved, the easier it will be for India to manage its relations with Myanmar and Bangladesh, focusing instead more on bilateral and subregional economic cooperation.
Cultural Diplomacy:
Resolving Rohingyas Issue:
India's approach to Myanmar should be multidimensional, balancing support for democratic values and human rights with pragmatic geopolitical considerations.
PRACTICE QUESTION
Q: While the Western countries have made democracy the sole prism of its Myanmar policy, India doesn’t have that luxury’. Discuss.(10marks, 150 words)
