Junta Connection – For Manipur, India must revisit its Myanmar policy

Source: The post is based on the article “Junta Connection – For Manipur, India must revisit its Myanmar policy” published in The Times of India on 27th May 2023

Syllabus: GS 2 – India and its neighbourhood relations and GS 3: Security issues – Internal Security.

Relevance: About Manipur unrest and Junta rule in Manipur.

News: The Union Home Minister has pitched for dialogue and promised to deal a fair hand to all stakeholders in resolving the Manipur crisis. Last week, both the government of India and Manipur told the Supreme Court that troubles began with the crackdown on poppy cultivation in Manipur hills by illegal immigrants from Myanmar. 

What are the reasons behind the unrest in Manipur?

What will be the impact of Manipur unrest on regional security?

What is the role of Myanmar in the Manipur unrest?

Since the Myanmar coup in 2021, India has avoided any criticism of the junta’s actions. This includes airstrikes on the domestic population. This forced refugees to flood across the border into India where many share ethnic kinship ties. So, the civil war in Myanmar is having direct repercussions on India’s Northeast.

What should be done to control the Manipur crisis?

India should recalibrate ties with the junta. The junta needs India’s support against powerful insurgents like the Arakan Army and is also wary of getting trapped with China. Further, all democratic forces in Myanmar are ready to side with India, viewing China as the junta’s main sponsor.

India should use this leverage and get the junta to halt its operations in the border regions this will control the flow of refugees into India.