India-Myanmar Relations – Significance & Challenges – Explained Pointwise

The India-Myanmar relationship is one of India’s most strategically important but geopolitically complex partnerships. The relationship is currently dominated by India’s competing needs for border security and its commitment to the Act East Policy, all while navigating the unstable political environment created by the 2021 military coup.

Historical Background:

India and Myanmar have a long history of cultural, religious, and trade links that date back to ancient times. As the land of Lord Buddha, India is a country of pilgrimage for the people of Myanmar.

Significance of Myanmar for India:

1. Geo-strategic: Myanmar is India’s gateway to South-East Asia and development of North-Eastern India. Myanmar is an important pillar of India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and “Act East” Policy. For e.g. Development of India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) trilateral highway, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport (KMMTT) corridor relies on Myanmar.
2. Tackling insurgency in Northeast: Insurgent groups such as ISCN-K, ISCN-IM have operational bases inside Myanmar. For e.g. Cooperation of Myanmar government in controlling Naga insurgency.
3. Countering China: Myanmar is crucial for India to counter its growing influence in the South-East Asian region. For e.g. India is developing the Sittwe port in Myanmar’s Rakhine state to counter the Chinese-fronted Kyaukpyu port.
4. Reduction of illegal migration in India: A stable Myanmar is necessary to reduce the illegal Rohingya and Chin migration in India.
5. Cultural ties: Buddhism which is the majoritarian religion in Myanmar has its roots in India, which has led to huge cultural similarities between India and Myanmar. 

Major Areas of Cooperation Between India and Myanmar:

1. Trade and economy: Bilateral trade between India-Myanmar has grown from $12.4 million in 1980-81 to $2.18 billion in 2016-17. Myanmar is the beneficiary of India’s duty-free tariff preference scheme for least-developed countries (LDCs). Indian companies such as Essar, GAIL, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. have invested in Myanmar’s energy sector.
2. Infrastructure and Connectivity: India-Myanmar relations has been bolstered by the key connectivity projects. India has invested deeply in the infrastructure projects in Myanmar:
   • India and Myanmar inaugurated the 250-kilometer Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo highway, popularly called the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Road, in 2001.
   • India is building the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport to link Kolkata to Sittwe in Myanmar and then from Myanmar’s Kaladan river to India’s North-East.
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   • India, Myanmar, and Thailand are building the Asian Trilateral Highway, which will connect India to ASEAN.
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3. Free Movement Regime (FMR): The border is governed by an FMR, which allows people residing within 16 km on either side to cross without a visa. This facilitates local tribal links (especially the Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities) but is a major security challenge, especially during conflicts.
4. Defence cooperation:
   • India and Myanmar conduct a joint military exercise, called India – Myanmar Bilateral Military Exercise (IMBEX).
   • Operation Sunrise between India-Myanmar armies jointly target the militant groups that operate in the border states.
5. Multilateral partnership: Myanmar is also a key component of India’s strategy to bridge South and South-East Asia through ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC).
6. Education and research: India has developed Myanmar Institute of Information and Technology and Advanced Center for Agricultural Research and Education (ACARE) for conducting research on pulses and oilseeds.
7. Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief: India has provided humanitarian aid and disaster relief in natural calamities in Myanmar like Cyclone Mora (2017), Komen (2015), earthquake in Shan State (2010) and COVID-19.

Challenges in India-Myanmar Relations:

1. Political Unrest in Myanmar:
   • Military Coup in 2021: Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) landslide victory in the 2020 elections sparked concern among the military. The military (Tatmadaw) alleged electoral fraud and staged a coup in February 2021. Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders were detained, sparking widespread protests and a violent military crackdown.
   • Anti-Junta Armed Struggle: Various Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) intensified their resistance against the military regime, resulting in escalating conflicts across the country. 
2. India’s Policy Paradox with respect to Myanmar Coup: India faces a dilemma in the form of its commitment to democracy vs. its internal security concerns. On one hand, India has been engaging with the military junta to control insurgent groups operating along the India Myanmar border. On the other hand, India also favours the establishment of federal democracy in Myanmar.
3. Massive Influx of Refugees in India: The ongoing armed struggle between the military Junta and the People’s Defence forces in the Chin region, Sagaing region have led to massive influx of refugees in India, especially in Mizoram and Manipur. This influx of refugees in India has emerged as a major bone of contention between India and Myanmar, as these have been linked to violent ethnic clashes, drug trafficking and smuggling.
4. Misuse of Free movement regime: The Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar is being exploited by militants and cross-border criminals for the illegal transportation of weapons, contraband goods, and counterfeit Indian currency.
5. Northeast insurgency and Drug Menace: Myanmar-China border is the hotbed of local armed separatist groups operating in Myanmar soil and Indian groups, ranging from ULFA in Assam to the NSCN (IM) in Nagaland. Myanmar’s Golden Triangle region is a notorious hub for drug trafficking.
6. China’s Inroads in Myanmar: China has been steadily increasing its influence in Myanmar, investing heavily in infrastructure projects and expanding its economic footprint. For e.g. The launch of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).
7. Delays in regional connectivity Projects: The inordinate delays in the implementation of the connectivity projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Connectivity project have widened the trust deficit between India and Myanmar. 

Way Forward:

1. Support for democracy and human rights: The United Nations Special Rapporteur has reported an increase in India’s arms supply to the military since the coup. Arming the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Military) undermines India’s position on restoring democracy. India should continue to advocate for the restoration of democracy and respect for human rights in Myanmar like the release of political prisoners and ending the military junta’s crackdown on dissent.
2. Engagement with all stakeholders: India should use its influence to open channels of dialogue with and between the junta and the opposition, including armed ethnic groups.
3. Use of Regional Organisations for enhanced cooperation: India should collaborate closely with the ASEAN nations for a peace plan for Myanmar.
4. Enhanced Economic Engagement: India should continue to engage with Myanmar economically to promote sustainable development for the benefit of the people of Myanmar. The delayed connectivity projects like the Kaladan and Asian Trilateral Highways must be expedited at the earliest.
5. Closer Security Cooperation: India must closely collaborate with Myanmar in intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts to combat insurgencies and drug trafficking.
6. Solidarity with the People of Myanmar: Providing aid and service to those affected by the crisis will alleviate suffering and demonstrate India’s solidarity with the people of Myanmar.

Conclusion: India-Myanmar relations remain vital for India’s eastern strategy, Northeast integration, regional stability, and for managing China’s expanding influence—necessitating patient engagement, rapid implementation of projects, and balanced diplomatic outreach.