Why India must engage with Myanmar

News: Following the military coup in Myanmar, India should adopt a policy that should be a balance of India’s interest and India’s norms.

What is the importance of Myanmar for India?

What should be India’s policy after Tatmadaw (military) took over?

India should implement an unbiased and proactive “Neighbourhood First” strategy that facilitates the Act East policy crucial for India’s long-term security and economic interests.

To strengthen its relationship with Myanmar, India should support its critical requirements of systems and platforms like UAVs, surveillance systems, and communication equipment. It should also fasten the completion of the earlier agreement on the operationalization of the Sittwe port, the establishment of an oil refinery, and joint vaccine production facilities for $6 billion.

Considering this, the Indian foreign secretary’s visit in December 2021 to Myanmar marks great importance. It was the first visit by a senior official from the liberal world and has set the stage for rapprochement and dialogue with Myanmar

What should India need to do to strengthen its relationship with Myanmar?

1) Kick-start the process of peace and stability 2) Proactively employ the existing “people-to-people” goodwill 3) Proximate ties between the two armies

Source: This post is based on the article “Why India must engage with Myanmar” published in Indian Express on 25th January 2022.