India-Myanmar relations
Myanmar has been in turmoil since February 2021 when the military seized control of the country in a coup and detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD). Recently, Myanmar’s military junta has executed four pro-democracy activists, it was announced on Monday (July 25), marking a new low in the situation in the country since the coup.
Basic information:
Capital: Naypyidaw
Largest city: Yangon
Official language: Burmese
Currency: Kyat
Population: 53,582,855 (2017 census)
Ethnic groups:
- 68% Bamar
- 9% Shan
- 7% Karen
- 4% Rakhine
- 3% Chinese
- 2% Indians
- 2% Mon
- 5% others
Religions:
- 87.9% Buddhism
- 6.2% Christianity
- 4.3% Islam
- 1.6% Others
History:
India-Myanmar relations are rooted in shared historical, ethnic, cultural, and religious ties. As the land of Lord Buddha, India is a country of pilgrimage for the people of Myanmar. India and Myanmar relations have stood the test of time. The geographical proximity of the two countries has helped develop and sustain cordial relations and facilitated people-to-people contact. India and Myanmar share a long land border of over 1600 km and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. A large population of Indian origin (according to some estimates about 2.5 million) lives in Myanmar. India and Myanmar signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1951. The visit of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1987 laid the foundations for a stronger relationship between India and Myanmar. Several agreements enhancing bilateral Cooperation have been signed between the two countries. Institutional mechanisms for facilitating regular dialogue on a range of issues of bilateral interest have also been established. In 2002, the Indian Consulate General in Mandalay was re-opened and the Consulate General of Myanmar was set up in Kolkata. Following the cataclysmic cyclone ‘Nargis’ which hit Myanmar in May 2008, India responded immediately with relief materials and offers of assistance. India also provided assistance of US $1 million for humanitarian relief and rehabilitation in the areas affected by the severe earthquake in Shan State in March 2011.
Why is Myanmar important to India?
Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbors 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. Being the only country that sits at the intersection of India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and its “Look East” policy, Myanmar is an essential element in India’s practice of regional diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and serves as a land bridge to connect South Asia and Southeast Asia. In recognition of this importance, Myanmar was given the status of observer in SAARC in August 2008. It is therefore in India’s interest to see Myanmar prevail as a stable and autonomous country, thereby making possible greater bilateral engagement in India-Myanmar relations.
India’s primary interests in Myanmar:
1. To build an economic and security relationship that prevents Myanmar from slipping into the orbit of China.
2. Ensure the Myanmar military’s cooperation in preventing Northeastern militants, most notably Naga insurgents, from using Myanmar as a safe haven.
3. Support the country’s transition into a full-fledged federal democracy.
4. Ameliorate the plight of the Rohingyas as well as ensure the tense relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar do not spiral out of control.
India's Economic Relations with Myanmar:
1. Bilateral trade between the two countries has, for a long, remained at around $2 billion.
2. Chinese, Singaporean, Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese businesses have actively seized business opportunities in Myanmar.
3. Pulses form the single largest item in Myanmar’s limited export basket.
4. Indian businesses could invest in Myanmar's power, steel, automobiles, and even textile sectors.
India's Cultural Relations with Myanmar:
The 11th-century Ananda Temple in Myanmar was damaged during an earthquake last year and is being renovated with India’s assistance. People-to-people ties are the strength of India-Myanmar relations.
India’s assistance in Capacity Building of Myanmar:
1. Capacity building has been accorded priority, with several new institutions set up for agricultural education, information technology, and industrial training that have benefited Myanmar youth immensely.
2. Myanmar Institute of Information Technology set up in Mandalay with the collaboration of IIIT Bangalore has been a success with all its graduates finding ready employment.
3. The Advanced Centre for Agriculture Research and Education set up in collaboration with India’s ICAR is a fine example of pooling research efforts on pulses and oilseeds.
4. India has also proposed to build a petroleum refinery in Myanmar. This is an indication of Myanmar’s growing significance in India.
5. With the expansion of training facilities and supply of defense equipment needed by the Myanmar military, India has consistently strengthened defense ties.
6. India’s timely help of medicines and equipment to fight the corona pandemic.
7. Several Indian companies have also set up operations in Myanmar, including oil and gas players like the ONGC Videsh and GAIL.
8. India has also agreed to train Myanmar army officers and allow them to study at military academies in India.
India's Major Projects in Myanmar:
1. The Government of India is actively involved in over a dozen projects in Myanmar, both in infrastructural and non-infrastructural areas. These include upgradation and resurfacing of the 160 km. long Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo road; construction and up-gradation of the Rhi-Tiddim Road in Myanmar; the Kaladan Multimodal Transport Project; etc.
2. An ADSL project for high-speed data links in 32 Myanmar cities has been completed by TCIL. ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL), GAIL, and ESSAR are participants in the energy sector in Myanmar. M/s RITES is involved in the development of the rail transportation system and in the supply of railway coaches, locos, and parts.
3. In September 2008, the Ministry of Electric Power-1 (MoEP-1) and NHPC signed an agreement to develop the Tamanthi and Shwezaye Hydro-Electric Power project in Chindwin River valley and NHPC submitted the updated DPR on Tamanthi and is working on the DPR on the Shwezaye project. A heavy turbo-truck assembly plant set up in Myanmar by TATA Motors with GOI financial assistance was inaugurated on December 31, 2010. An India-Myanmar Industrial Training Centre has been set up by HMT(I) in Myanmar with the assistance of GOI in Pakokku, a second center is being set up in Myingyan, while the Myanmar-India Centre for English Language (MICELT), a Myanmar-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre (MIEDC).
4. Other projects include revamping the Ananda Temple in Bagan, the upgradation of the Yangon Children’s Hospital and Sittwe General Hospital, the erection of disaster-proof rice silos, etc. India has also assisted in the reconstruction of 1 high school and 6 primary schools in Tarlay township, the area worst affected by the severe earthquake that struck north-eastern Myanmar in March 2011.
India’s Response towards Myanmar:
India had been categorical from the very beginning that the gains made by Myanmar over the last decades on the path towards democracy should not be undermined. On Suu Kyi’s imprisonment for 2 years (sentenced recently), India also expressed its deep concerns as such developments accentuate differences. It suggested all the sides take efforts to advance dialogues for the sake of their nation’s future. India’s security relationship with the Myanmar military has become extremely close, and it would be difficult to “burn bridges” with them given their assistance in securing the North East frontiers from insurgent groups. A harsh reaction from India, on the lines of that from the U.S., which has threatened action against those responsible for the “coup” unless they revoke the military’s takeover, would only benefit China. For India, the return to military rule by Myanmar’s Tatmadaw (Army) and the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and the political leadership of the National League of Democracy (NLD) are a repeat of events 30 years ago.
Challenges for India in Myanmar:
1. China’s Influence on Northeast Insurgency: Ever since the coup, China’s economic grip over Myanmar has become tighter with a particular focus on projects critical for the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
Moreover, the recent deadly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy near the Myanmar border was a reminder of the proclivity of China for creating trouble in the Northeast.
2. Rohingya Issue: Aung San Suu Kyi’s silence on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar has only led to the plight of the hapless Rohingya taking a backseat. This is not in India’s national security interest in the northeast.
3. Porous Indo-Myanmar Border: The 1643-km-long Indo-Myanmar border, which facilitates cross-border movement of militants, illegal arms, and drugs, is extremely porous. The border runs along hilly and inhospitable terrain and provides cover for the activities of various Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs).
What can be a way forward?
1. Acknowledging the Military’s Primacy: The role of Myanmar’s army would be key to the unfolding of any democratic transition there, so India’s active engagement would be needed with the military. Even as India continues to call for a restoration of the democratic process, it shall engage with the army in Myanmar to address Indian concerns as well. Marginalizing the army will only push it into China’s arms.
2. Cultural Diplomacy: India’s cultural diplomacy through the lens of Buddhism can be leveraged for strengthening 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. This could also build up India’s diplomatic reservoir of goodwill and trust with Buddhist-majority countries such as Myanmar.
3. Resolving Rohingyas Issue: 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. In this context, Implementing the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Advisory Commission report on the Rohingya refugee issue will help.
