International CONFERENCE
UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION (UGC)
Sponsored
International Conference
on
‘Future of India Myanmar Engagement:
Existing Impediments, Untapped
Opportunities’
Organized By:
JADAVPUR ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
In collaboration with
Guns, Drugs, Insurgents - Security Issues in
it would be difficult for the insiurgents to
India-Myanmar relations
continue their armed campaign against Indian
forces. The paper will seek to examine the
Subir Bhaumik
patterns of this illicit weapons flow and how it
The paper will argue that India has three key
has impacted on India-Myanmar relations.
security issues when it comes to its relationship
The third issue is the smuggling of narcotics on
with Myanmar. It will focus on these three
the India-Myanmar frontier, the way it impacts
issues and detail patterns over the past fifty
on human security in India and how it effects
years since Myanmar turned into a military
the relations of the two countries. Again, details
dictatorship.
will be provided on the pattern of this trade in
The first issue involves cross-border ethnic
this sensitive region and how it has led to an
insurgency. While a host of ethnic insurgent
'AIDS bomb' ticking away in India's Northeast.
groups operate in India's northeast, the
The paper will argue that these security issues
country's only region with which Myanmar has
impinging on India's Northeast exert a major
a land border, many of them have enjoyed
influence on how Indian policy shapes up vis a
sanctuaries in Myanmar.
vis Myanmar.
The paper will examine how the presence of
India's Northeast is the country's only region to
these bases since the early sixties have
share a land border with Myanmar and it is
facilitated (a) a safe regrouping zone used for
therefore not unexpected that ground realities
training, procurement of weapons and for
in Northeast would influence Indian policy
launching operations against targets in Indian
towards Myanmar. That this 1623 km border is
territory (b) preservation of the core strength of
porous, largely hilly and jungle-infested, used by
these rebel groups when challenged by Indian
separatist ethnic insurgents and those who
military operations (c) how it helped these
smuggle narcotics drugs and weapons in large
groups to develop alliances to fight Indian
quantities makes it all the more important that
security forces
India would expect Myanmar to address these
The second issue involves the use of Myanmar
issues pertaining to India's security , specially in
territory for illegal transshipment of huge
the country's Northeast.
quantities of Chinese made weapons. It will be
The flow of weapons and drugs from Myanmar
argued that without this flow of illicit weapons,
to India through the borders of its northeastern
states has prompted New Delhi to push the
Queen Elizabeth House Fellow at Oxford
Tatmadaw-led military regime in Myanmar to
University (1989-91) , a former fellow at East-
block
dangerous
West Centre (Washington) and an Eurasian
contraband. India has also periodically raised
Fellow at Frankfurt University. He has written
the issue of its northeastern ethnic insurgents
two well acclaimed books "Insurgent Crossfire"
using bases in Myanmar's Sagaing division and
and " Troubled Periphery". While "Insurgent
other states and called for firm action , like
Crossfire" deals with the cross-border proxy
Bhutan and Bangladesh has taken against Indian
wars in South Asia with post-colonial nation-
insurgents in recent years.
states
trafficking
of
these
This lecture will address the key issues involving
India's northeastern region when it comes to
the country's relations with Myanmar. It will
also advocate (a) more trans-border trade
across land customs point through northeast
India and neighbouring Myanmar provinces to
help create a 'bonafide economy' on the
borders (b) greater and effective security
cooperation between India and Myanmar as
well
as
between
provincial
governments
reciprocally
supporting
insurgencies
against each other, 'Troubled Periphery" deals
with the crisis of Northeast India. Bhaumik has
also edited two books -- "Living on the Edge :
Bangladesh's
Chittagong
Hill
Tracts"
and
"Counter-Gaze: Media , Migrants, Minorities".
Bhaumik has also written more than a dozen
monographs on critical policy issues and scores
of articles for academic journals.
He is a
veteran media trainer in India , China,
Bangladesh and Myanmar.
running border states and divisions on the
Indian
borders of the two countries (c) a joint effort to
Personalities, Lawyers and other Professionals
tackle the problems of weapons and drugs on
in Myanmar: Their Contribution to and
this 1600 kms border (d) to facilitate a relaxed
Identification with the Country of their Choice
trans border regime for movement of tribal
communities with kinsmen across the borders
Scholars,
Trade
and
Business
Dr. Swapna Bhattacharya (Chakraborti)
(e) to situate the border regions in the
The scope of the paper is rather wide,
proposed BCIM economic corridor to facilitate
addressing various personalities of Indian origin
speedy growth .
in colonial Myanmar in particular. They were
Subir Bhaumik is BBC's former Eastern India
bureau chief and now works as Senior Editor for
Dhaka-based BDNEWS24.COM. He is a former
from areas of knowledge (teachers, professors,
medical practitioners) to world of Business and
Trade to legal professions, various public
servants of high and middle rankings who
served under colonial administration.
Their
co-brethren. This important Directory has
valuable contributions remained eclipsed under
names of Chettiars whose love for dana was
the dark shadow of biased historical researches,
well noted. My 9 visits to the country evenly
for, dominating tendency for a long time was
spread over the last two decades, have given
to highlight the immigration of unskilled or
me enough opportunity to interact with a large
semi-skilled Indian workers in the industrial
number of highly educated people, mostly
sectors or small enterprises or in service sectors
from the university circle. They remember with
of lower rankings. Though two major works,
a deep sense of indebtedness the contribution
one by Nalini Ranjan Chakravarti and the other
of
by Usha Mahajani are widely known, yet, it is
Philosophy, Law, Pali, Buddhism and among
inspiring to see that
other subjects. These Indians have left a legacy
International
in recently held
Conference
on
Indian professors who
taught them
Myanmar
of guru-sisysa-parampara, unique in nature.
organised by the Institute of Social and Cultural
Those Indians were completely identified with
Studies, Kolkata, in collaboration with Govt of
Myanmar and her people, for, they chose it in
India, eminent historian Professor Khin Maung
preference to other countries ( British colonies)
Nyunt, has reminded us that Myanmar people
where they could have gone. This love for
have not forgotten what they received from
Myanmar has come out through their huge
India. While writing my own book
India-
donation in education and training sectors. The
Myanmar Relations 1886-1948 I came across
city of Kolkata and the city of Yangon have
several sources dealing with contributions of
shared a very rich heritage of knowledge
such Indians. My present deliberation will
sharing in the fields of Pali, Buddhist Studies
concentrate on materials drawn
and Archaeology. The names like U Ottama,
from an
important, hitherto almost untapped source.
Gurudev
i.e.., Who’s Who in Burma, compiled under the
Forchhammer, Sir Asutosh Mukherjee, Ch.
patronage of H.E. Sir Harcourt Butler, Governor
Duroisell, Taw Sein Ko, Gordon Luce, Suniti K.
of Burma published by Indo-Burma Publishing
Chatterjee,
Professor
Agency, Calcutta and Rangoon. In this volume
Kramrisch,
Niharranjan
we find names of a large number of highly
mentioned
in the discourse of this shared
respected Indians who were not only awarded (
history.
through various titles)
by their employers (
British administrators), but also loved by their
own countrymen as well as by their Myanmar
Rabindranath
Tagore,
B.M.
Barua,
Ray
E.
Stella
should
be
Swapna Bhattacharya (Chakraborti) M. A. in
Sanskrit from Visva Bharati University
and
M.A. & Ph.D in South & Southeast Asian History
from Heidelberg University ( joined C.U in 1986
Myanmar’s Tryst with Democracy: Lessons
) is a Professor ( former Head) at the Dept of
from India
South & South East Asian Studies, University of
Dr. Amrita Dey
Calcutta. From Jan 2006- to Jan 2009 worked on
a project on Myanmar at MAKAIAS.
Also
teaches ( as Guest Faculty) at IFPS, Dept. of
Although nascent and pre-matured, there is
no doubt that whatever ‘attention’ and
History and Buddhist Studies, University of
‘spotlight’ Myanmar is enjoying today is all
Calcutta. At various levels
because of ‘democracy’ and attempts at
studied Political
Science, German language, Indology, Myanmar
‘democratic
language, Latin, Buddhism, Pali & Prakrit &
President Thein Sein’s government in power
German History .Published
3 books ( one of
since 2010. In the political front, the
them translation from German to Bengali on
President released most political prisoners
CHT), 1 in Press, 2 Occasional Papers, around
from exile; freed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
65 articles
on S & S.E Asia in national and
international journals and edited volumes.
Thrust areas:
Bangladesh.
Myanmar, N.E. India &
Member of various academic
institutions, Advisory Committees, mostly Govt.
transition’
undertaken
by
from house arrest; amended the electoral
laws to enable her and the National League
for Democracy (NLD) to contest the
parliamentary by-elections (Suu Kyi has
many scholarships,
joined the Parliament now as the main
Besides teaching and
opposition party); freed the media and
research works actively in promoting research
allowed civil society groups to function
on neighbouring countries, national integration,
more freely in the country.
sponsored.
Received
grants, awards etc.
international understanding, religious harmony
and promotion of higher education among tribal
girls. She is presently Professor ( former Head),
In the critical domain of ethnic relations,
the President promised that his government
Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies,
would seek to solve the root causes of
University
ethnic problems through political means
of
Swapna.caluni@gmail.com
Calcutta
and even organize a nation-wide ceasefire
agreement to enable lasting peace among
its ethnic communities. In other social and
economic
sectors,
the
President
has
undertaken commendable changes aimed
at
boosting
economic
growth
and
sustainable development at the grassroots
corruption, unemployment and all inclusive
governance.
level.
But beneath the façade of seeming
Dr. Amrita Dey is an M.A and PhD in
progresses, critics fear that Myanmar might
International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru
backtrack to repressive rule once again,
given
the
present
administration’s
stubbornness in amending/re-writing the
2008 constitution, its outright refusal of the
United Nations proposal to recognize the
University, New Delhi (with Southeast Asia as
her specialization). Having graduated from
Presidency College, Kolkata, she has taught as a
Guest Lecturer in the Department of South &
Southeast Asian Studies at the M.A Part II level
and as a Research Associate of the Centre for
stateless ‘Rohingya’s,’ its slackened pace in
more than three years. She has also worked as a
arresting corruption and ensuring people-
journalist of the English Daily, The Statesman
centric development in the poverty-stricken
for three years. Her publications include her
areas of the country.
own book, Perspective articles, chapters in
edited books and articles in national and
It is here that Myanmar can pick up its
internal journals of repute. She is presently
lessons from India where its tryst with
working as a Fellow at Maulana Abul Kalam
democracy, pluralism and capacity building
Azad Institute of Asian Studies in Kolkata. Her
has made it a model for discussion at home
project is on ‘India and Myanmar Relations:
and abroad. India’s progress in health
Paving the Way for Constructive Engagement,’
sector, it’s emerging middle class, a vibrant
(post
media and an engaging young generation
amritadey27@gmail.com.
2010).
You
can
reach
her
at
has lessons that can enable Myanmar to
Active dissociation to Active association-
make its democratic transition irreversible.
extending a hand towards the Indian
The present paper is an attempt to compare
Diaspora in Myanmar.
and contrast Myanmar’s experiment with
Anindya Mitra
democratization vis-à-vis India and how
both the neighbors can jointly address their
common issues of concern- insurgency,
Myanmar has been the one neighbour
traditionally which has failed to feature in
the literature of Indian foreign policy.
Indian economy in the 1990s. When India
Burma and India cooperated in their
initiated its 'Look East Policy' towards the
struggle
Southeast
for
independence
and
their
Asian
countries,
the
large
independence came only a few months
presence of ethnic Indians in the region was
apart. Thereafter, the biggest cause of
unquestionably in the minds of the foreign
contention between the two countries was
policy makers but unfortunately, they
the fate of the People of Indian Origin
missed the opportunity to constructively
(PIOs) who were being treated as foreigners
engage
despite
for
'aspiration' and 'inspiration' of the Diasporic
generations. The hope that independent
community. The Singhvi Committee Report
India would pursue an enlightened policy
was an eye-opener. It stated that Indians
towards Indians overseas was not fulfilled.
are “fairly impoverished in Myanmar.”
Initially, Nehru insisted on compensation
Breaking the yolk of military junta, Malaysia
for the PIOs but soon reverted to the
is now progressing towards the dawn of
Nehruvian policy of not pushing Indian
democracy, the largest populous adherer of
interests by claiming special privileges for
which being India. Feeling at ease with
Indians in Burma, in order to maintain good
Myanmar’s
relations between the two countries. After
democracy, India is pre-empting a new
1991 when the Indian economy faced
found ally at a geo-strategic position. This
severe crisis to develop economically and
paper is an attempt to observe what are the
remain competitive in a swiftly globalised
promises and the challenges towards
world, it had to aggressively attract Foreign
changing the stance from a hands off to a
Direct Investments (FDI) and the infusion of
hands on policy of India towards the Indians
new technologies. In this context, larger
in Myanmar.
having
lived
in
Burma
its
Diaspora
new
and
fondness
gratify
its
towards
policy shifts appeared in the re-engagement
of India with its Diaspora in the 1990s
because only affluent section of the
overseas
Indians
i.e.
Non-Residential
Indians (NRI's) could be safeguards for the
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Women’s Tribulations in Indo-Myanmar
and a major source of diseases such as
Border Region-Fencing is not the Solution
HIV/AIDS and bird flu. Moreover, there is a
physical proximity to the famed Golden
Dr.Debarati Ghosh
Triangle, the well-known opium-producing
The Indo-Myanmar border region is a
problematic area which harbours several
socio-economic,
political
and
cultural
criticalities giving rise to criminal activities
concerning the issue of migration of men
and women from both sides since quite
some decades. The distribution of tribal as
well as non-tribal population in the
undulating hilly and dense forested area,
inadequate provisions of agricultural and
industrial activities, unemployment and
grim poverty among the people, poor levels
of education and health, absence of other
civic facilities etc give rise to such situations
which provoke the generations towards
criminal activities, trafficking of men and
women, smuggling, illegal trades etc. Nearly
1600 km wide rocky and afforested border
area is shared by (Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram) India and
Myanmar. The porous nature of the border
frequently
inspires
illegal
migrants
promoting transnational prostitution, better
accessibility for insurgent groups, increasing
vulnerability to environmental degradation,
region, with overlapping mountain regions
of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and
the Yunnan Province of China.. Women
from both sides of this border tend to
migrate to border communities in search of
work. Women undertake sex work as a
means of sustenance. Cases of suicides,
secret killings, presence of HIV positive
pregnant women are quite apparent. The
free trade zone in the town across the
border means to facilitate the death knell of
local products that are mostly made by
women. The large-scale presence of various
State and non-State security forces and
frequent crossfire between the various
armed groups very often create sociocultural
problems
leading
to
regular
displacement. Along with several instances,
Moreh, located in the southeastern part of
Manipur, an Indo-Myanmar border town,
exhibits a complex plurality of above
features.
In this context, the Indo-Myanmar Border
trade
agreement
between
India
and
Myanmar (signed on 21st January, 1994),
the vision of the Look East policy of India,
India. After independence, two countries
the opening of trade routes towards the
cultivated
ASEAN countries and finally the change of
culminated in the signing of the 1951 Treaty
government in Myanmar would, with all
of
promises, likely to create new horizons
Myanmar, however, India has worked to
where Myanmar comes into view to be the
expand and deepen bilateral relations in the
gateway of the vista from the Indian
past two decades.
standpoint. All this may emerge with
become closer was the 2001 opening of the
immense potentials for the socio-economic
Moreh-
development of the Indo-Myanmar border
connects India and Myanmar. Myanmar is
region in general and the emancipation of
of
the women residing there in particular.
importance for India. The two nations share
a
close
Friendship.
relationship
India’s
relation
with
One step toward to
Tamu-Kalemyo
extreme
that
strategic
road,
and
which
economic
a 1,600km land border and a long maritime
Dr. Debarati Ghosh is a Assistant Professor
boundary in the strategically important Bay
in the Dept. of Political Science,Gobardanga
of Bengal and Andaman Sea; they are
Hindu College (under WBSU).
bound by religious, cultural and ethnic
linkages and four of India’s politically-
India-Myanmar Relations: New Balance of
sensitive
North-eastern
states
share
Power in Asia
international borders with Myanmar. India
has been pursuing friendly relations with its
eastern neighbour since the early 1990s
Omkar Rout
with the goal of countering China’s
Bilateral relations between India and
influence in the region as well as exploiting
Myanmar are important not only for these
the
two
Myanmar.
countries,
but
for
the
region
tremendous
energy
resources
of
concerned, namely South Asia and South
East Asia. Both countries share profound
In light of India’s changing foreign policy
historical and cultural links. During colonial
over the last decades, Indo-Myanmar
period, both countries were under British
relations have also changed radically. The
reasons thereof pertain principally to four
stabilising entity for India, like Pakistan.
factors: the economic development of
India should therefore make a determined
India’s North East, India’s increased interest
effort to forge a strategic partnership with
in trade with ASEAN, India’s search for
Myanmar. So that Strategic partnerships do
energy security and increased Chinese
provide intermediate solutions, especially
involvement in Myanmar. India has to gear
when they are bi-lateral in nature and
up its “Look East Policy” in the context of
incorporate economic co-operation and
Myanmar. India's exports stand at $334.4
assistance in a major way and it is hoped
million, while it imports goods worth over
that this developing relationship will create
$1 billion from Myanmar. The main exports
new balance of power in Asia.
to Myanmar are pharmaceutical products,
iron and steel, electrical machinery and
Keywords: Bilateral, Economic, Strategic,
equipment. India imports large amounts of
Policy, Democracy, Power
vegetables, pulses and wood products from
Myanmar. So, one would expect rising
Omkar
Rout,
Phd
Research
Scholar,
Indian presence in Myanmar and its
Department of Political Science, Utkal
economy, especially after all the glib talk of
Universty , Bhubaneswar, India.
a "Great Game" on Myanmar involving
China, Western powers and India.
“Non-Traditional Security Threats in
In India’s quest for strategic partnerships,
Myanmar & its impact on relationship with
Myanmar acquires top priority being a vital
India”
geo-strategic entity on her Eastern flank
and sharing a long border with China.
Yogesh Subhashchandra Borse
Myanmar’s providing the major Eastern
littoral to the Bay of Bengal imparts added
Last two decades, Myanmar face large no of
strategic
naval
armed ethnic insurgencies. Same happening
Myanmar has not permitted
in India's North-East part. Geo-politically &
strategies.
significance
to
India’s
China to turn it into a strategic de-
Geo-Economically
both
country
are
regularly communicate to finding the
Jalgaon, Maharashtra.
solutions for good foreign relationship. This
research paper try to find out the clinches
Indo–Myanmar Symbiosis: Regional/ Sub-
between
regional Engagements facilitating Bilateral
Indo-Myanmar
relationship.
Energy, Illegal Migration, Drug trafficking,
Cooperation
Ethnic base insurgency and small arms
Ratul Chowdhury
trafficking issues are create a fault line in
both
Asian
countries.
Constantly
in
Myanmar lack of governance could not find
out the peace. Indian continent also
struggling from 1989 to 2001 by internal
ethnic insurgency. Now in forthcoming
changing geo-political global dimensions,
May 2012 marked a significant watershed in the
history of India – Myanmar relationship when
the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
made a visit to newly reformed and democratic
Myanmar unleashing innumerable potentialities
towards
strengthening
of
ties
with
the
neighbouring state. The recent strides of
China & India attracting towards energy rich
democracy and new set of constitutional and
Burma. More than China, India has need
political reforms have presented the glorious
great
developed
opportunity for the neighbouring states to
knowledge base industry & economy sector.
come in close proximity once again for mutually
These issues are situated in relation to
symbiotic gains. On one hand, it is immensely
developments in Burma and proximate
imperative for Myanmar to cooperate with
energy
resources
to
inter-state interactions. Finally, the paper
examines the implications of these issues in
the broader
context
of
regional co-
operation and stability, and undertakes a reassessment of the relationship between
non-traditional
security
issues
and
traditional (politico-military) issues.
Yogesh
Subhashchandra
Borse
India, inspite of a not-so-cordial past, to
develop its nascent democracy along with
mutual solutions of problems like combating
drug trafficking, criminal networks across
borders, illegal cross border trade, devising
strategies for cracking down on the insurgent
groups present in West Myanmar and NorthEast India, etc. A number of development and
is
a
connectivity projects are in the pipeline where
Assistant Professor, Department of Defence
India is assisting Myanmar for a better future
& Strategic Studie,Moolji Jaitha College,
investment making the former a reliable ally of
the latter. On the other hand, India’s stakes on
proactive engagement with Myanmar are even
becoming a member of ASEAN in 1997 to
higher given the initiation of the Look East
hosting its Summit this year, Myanmar has
Policy formulated to achieve strategic and
come a long way and it is the only ASEAN
economic returns by actively engaging with the
country sharing a land border with India which
Southeast Asian economies. Also, Myanmar has
makes it more important for India’s Look East
and would continue to play an important role in
Policy for creating a strong relation with the
India’s territorial integrity by checking long
Southeast Asian nations for obvious reasons.
running insurgent actions, facilitating growth
Within the Association trans-border threats like
and development in north-eastern states of
piracy, disputes over fishing grounds, arms
India.
a
smuggling, drug trafficking could be dealt with
staggering 400 million standard cubic metres of
mutually. AS part of the LEP, India initiated two
natural gas per day by 2020 and such
major
sustainable gas supply source could be traced
Bangladesh – India – Myanmar – Sri Lanka –
from Myanmar itself. Myanmar would again be
Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in
important in securing the strategic interests of
1997
India in the Indian Ocean and security of
incorporated later in 2004 and the Mekong –
Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Finally, to
Ganga Cooperation (MGC) in 2000. Within the
counter-balance,
Chinese
BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement, Myanmar
emerging interests in South-east and South
leads in domains like energy and gas supply,
Asia, India needs to reinvest substantial amount
major exports of agro-based and forest
of
policy
products while India exports chemical products,
formulation within bilateral or regional ambit to
electrical appliances, pharmaceuticals and other
deal with Myanmar trying to win it over in equal
things. Myanmar is a member of the Mekong
terms as a strategic partner.
Ganga Cooperation since its inception in
Moreover,
India
if
brainstorming
would
not
in
its
require
contain
foreign
institutional
arrangements–
the
in which Bhutan and Nepal was
November 2000. MGC is an initiative by six
Owing
to
these
multifarious
mutual
countries – India and five ASEAN countries
requirements, both the states have been
namely, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand
affiliated to some similar regional organizations
and Vietnam – for cooperation in the fields of
whereby efficient engagements have taken
tourism, education, culture, transport and
place in the past and it is advisable for both to
communication. The MGC Project links New
continue with the same in order to achieve a
Delhi with Hanoi, Vietnam to which India has
healthy long-lasting bilateral partnership. From
approved a credit of US$ 56 million. Myanmar
was given the status of observer in SAARC in
Myanmar, China, India-A New Tug of War for
August 2008 and the two countries are
Influence and Non-Alighnment as a Balancing
cooperating
in
areas
of
environmental
degradation, terrorism, ethnic and communal
prosperity and The Myanmar – Bangladesh –
Strategy for Myanmar
Debolina Mukherjee
South East Asia has emerged in these days as
India Gas Pipeline.
the new cockpit of power politics and rivalry. As
The attempts of regionalisation has been
a region South East Asia comprises two parts-
challenged quite often for India just being an
mainland and maritime. Myanmar, the largest
Observer member of the ASEAN, the very little
in the mainland and second largest in the whole
influence of Myanmar in the SAARC, the ever-
region, today is the cake of which everybody
nascent and superficial implementation of the
wants a slice. Long under military control (from
Look East Policy and most importantly the
1962) the country is now undergoing a major
mutual suspicion which still looms large in the
transition especially after the 2012 by elections
domestic and international sphere of both
which saw the entry of Myanmar’s democratic
states for each other. The inevitable presence
movement leader Daw Suu Kyi and National
of China in the region however poses a great
League for Democracy
barrier to India’s growing ties with Myanmar as
When the signals for change were becoming
the latter Cannot do away with it at present.
evident a large number of countries who were
Still there is ample space for both states to
initially sceptical and against Myanmar are
cooperate and refurbish ties among themselves
changing their stands, notably USA with Hillary
as there is sufficient Natural Gas resources
Clinton and Barrack Obama making official visits
present
India!
to the country and lifting sanctions. Added to
Strengthening of ideological glue, fomenting
this is the Obama administration’s emphasis
new foundational agreements and maintenance
and redeployment in the South East Asian
of relationship amidst adversity and division of
region as the new pivot of world politics. India
domestic policies could sustain relationship
with her foreign policy stance of Nehruvian
between the two states which would lead to a
idealism had sidelined this neighbour in her
brighter and grimmer future.
foreign policy priorities after 1962. Pragmatic
in
Myanmar
to
supply
into the parliament.
turns were noticed in the 1990s only when
Chinese influence in the country was seen
increasing to the extent that ideas like
‘Tibetization of Myanmar’ and Myanmar being a
had been a follower of non alignment which
‘de facto Chinese client state’, ‘a virtual Chinese
was later on discarded as Myanmar tilted
satellite’ etc started making the rounds. Initially
towards China. It is high time for Myanmar to
an
democratic
follow this policy once again .It also has a
movement it was later termed as Myanmar’s
chance of providing an equal playing ground to
internal affair by India. So now the South East
countries like India. This paper seeks to explore
Asian region version of a ‘great game’ involves
these possibilities.
open
supporter
of
the
Myanmar, China, India, and USA as major actors
– bilaterally, multilaterally among themselves
and in the regional forums. Of all these China
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has an advantage. She very well fits the maxim-
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‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’ for
Myanmar. India and USA have a common
interest in countering an increasing Chinese
influence and they also have economic interests
and energy needs to fulfil. It is to be noted that
the self imposed isolationist policy followed by
India-Myanmar-Japan
Strategic
Connectivity: Prospects for India’s Look
East Policy
the military junta for decades have reduced the
Mihir Bhonsale
country to an economic disaster case. She
needs whatever assistance she can gather now
The recent strides made in India-Japan
from whatever sources. Confining herself can
bilateral ties have opened a new vista for
be damaging. The question is- how Myanmar is
India’s
supposed to deal with this scenario – a dilemma
Myanmar. During the Japanese Prime
between preferring an old friend or balancing
Minister, Shinzo Abe’s visit to New Delhi in
the increasing hegemony of that old friend with
January 2014, India invited Japan to invest
other new but influential players. The main
in infrastructure projects in its North-East
theme of this paper will revolve around this
question. Non alignment as a movement and its
relevance has been subject to intense debating
for long but perhaps this as a strategy in a
redefined way will prove to be useful for this
country in transition. . Myanmar under U Nu
strategic
engagement
with
states. India assigning a role to Japan in the
North-eastern states would not just keep
India’s strategic threat’s from China at bay
but also help connectivity between India
and Myanmar who share a 1,600 kilometers
Department of South and South East Asian
long border.
Studies, University of Calcutta).
India which is currently ranked 4th largest
India-Myanmar Relations: Re-visualizing the
trading partner of Myanmar hopes to
Politico-Economic Dynamics of the Two
double its trade with Myanmar, pegged at $
Neighbours.
1.9 billion in 2012. Central to India’s
Anindita Malas
increased engagement with Myanmar’s as
the latter opens up to the world, are
connectivity
North-East
projects
and
between
Myanmar.
India’s
Japan
has
From the historical periods, India shares more
or less a cordial relationship with one of its
most
significant
neighbours,
Myanmar
(erstwhile Burma). Being under the rule of
emerged as one of the leading aid provider
British India till 1937, both the countries share
for development and investment projects in
between them a common cultural, ethical and
Myanmar. Japan’s strategy in supporting
ethnic relation. Moreover, being the largest
infrastructure projects in South and South
democracy in the world, India has always talked
East Asian countries to counter China’s
in favour of the establishment of a pro-
‘charm offensive’ presents an opportunity
democratic government in Myanmar, though it
for strategic connectivity between IndiaMyanmar-Japan.
has never actively interfered in the domestic
affairs of the latter. Even the military junta, that
had been ruling the country for several years,
The prospects of engagement between the
was
three nations, the paper argues would give
government and tourists, which largely affected
a fresh lease to India’s ‘Look East Policy’
the tourism business in Myanmar. However
which has faced a number of impediments
after 1990s, the situation changed to a certain
since its conceptualization around 20 years
ago.
highly
hostile
towards
the
Indian
extent, though inter-state tensions remain.
India now serves as the fourth largest trading
partner of Myanmar and provides the largest
Mihir Bhonsale, The writer is a Research
market for the Burmese products. Both India
Assistant at Observer Research Foundation,
and Myanmar shares a common platform in the
Kolkata and a PhD candidate at the
regional organizations like BIMST-EC (Bay of
Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical
and Economic Cooperation), Mekong-Ganga
and ammunitions to the rebels in Myanmar,
Cooperation and so on, which strengthens the
China may provide the necessary spark which
relationship
However,
may create disturbances in the North-Eastern
Myanmar shares a 1643 km long border with
India. Myanmar may also serve as a Chinese
the Indian states of Mizoram, Manipur,
base for encircling India in near future.
Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh along the
Therefore, in this paper attempts have been
Potkoi Hills. Therefore, both the countries have
made to focus on the fact that India should
to encounter serious cross-border ethnic
strengthen its economic ties with the Myanmar
insurgencies, and the Myanmar government has
in order to maintain an amicable relationship
taken certain initiatives in fighting out those
with the country, and thereby avoid any
insurgencies along with its Indian counterpart.
external aggression being committed through
However, with the inclusion of Myanmar in the
Myanmar. Meanwhile, Myanmar may take the
Association of South East Asian Nations
fullest advantage of this India-China rivalry and
(ASEAN), the strategic importance of Myanmar
try to play both of these powers against each
to India has increased considerably, since
other in order have facilities from both the
Myanmar can now serve as an entry-point to
parties and smoothen its way to development.
between
the
two.
the South East Asian region for the Indian
Republic, and give a boost to India’s Look East
Relevance of North East Region in IndiaMyanmar Engagement
Policy. At present, India has initiated many
projects with Myanmar, like the opening of
Sayantani Sen Mazumdar
Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo Highway, the India-
Fellow, MAKAIAS.
Myanmar river and land-based projects, gas
pipeline projects in the Arakan region, and are
also looking for having some joint ventures in
automobile, IT, agro-based industries and also
in other sectors. However, the penetration of
China in the South East Asian region, especially
The North East Region (NER) of India often
becomes synonymous with a security threat
perception. For nearly over two decades
since
independence
India
paid
little
in Myanmar, and the development of Chinese
attention to the multi-ethnic fissures in the
naval bases there is really a matter of concern
NER that were getting articulated on
for today's India. Myanmar has now become
primordial lines and were acting in manners
over-dependent on China for the foreign direct
inimical to India’s long-term progress. The
investment. Besides, through the selling of arms
lack of proper accessibility and the absence
of
development
of
adequate
should be adequately nurtured and utilized
communication and connectivity facilities
for a better future of the Region. The LEP
physically
the
accords an added momentum to the NER as
developmental moves of the Government.
the gateway to Myanmar, which in turn, is
Nevertheless the attempt could not have
the land-bride to the ASEAN (if the
been abandoned for a long period of time
proposition
of
because of India’s Look East Policy (LEP).
trade
landroute
India’s LEP is a substantive manifestation of
consideration). India needs to promote its
India’s renewed emphasis of reviving
geopolitical interests in Myanmar for
cooperative ties with its South East Asian
translating the substance of the LEP into
neighbours in particular as well as the
reality.
imperative to reassess India’s geo-political
cooperation and trade facilitation between
position in the rapidly changing global
India and Myanmar demands an extensive
scenario in the post-Cold War era. Under
understanding
the LEP India and the South East Asian
economic growth as well as identifying the
nations felt the necessity to exchange their
lacunae plaguing the cooperation. Premised
respective repositories, in respect of trade,
on this argument the paper aims at
commerce, industry and in a number of
reviewing the pertinence of the NER as a
other collaborative spheres.
gateway to the expanding engagement
impeded
many
of
The LEP is
steered to uplift this Region from the
business possibilities through enterprising
initiatives of developing border trade and
overshadowed
distressing
by
the
happenings
magnitude
must
not
of
be
discounted at any cost. Rather the prospect
prospect
of
the
taken
of
into
economic
intricacies
of
A comparative study of trends of
Multiculturalism, Tolerance and Refugee
Management among India and Myanmar
Abhismita Sen
people to people contacts. The economic
potentialities of the Region though often
The
is
Indo-ASEAN
between India and Myanmar.
quagmire of security threat proliferation to
the virtues of exposure to modernity, better
via
conducting
Myanmar's transition from authoritarianism
to
democracy
through
the
enduring
communal and ethnic violence coupled with
the implementation of intrepid reform
initiatives, presents immense hurdles as
India itself is going through a crucial phase.
well as prospects for the world's largest
With the Lok Sabha elections just a brink
democracy
away, the major claimants of hegemony are
and
one
of
Myanmar's
bordering neighbors, India.
desperately trying to fight ethnic cringes,
The recent slackening of Western economic
and financial sanctions as remuneration for
political reforms in Myanmar ushers the
way for India to play a more proactive role.
India has had sturdy cultural and spiritual
exchanges with Myanmar on both a
diplomatic level through its ‘look east’
policy and on a sentimental level as four
Northeast Indian states Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur share a
border with Myanmar.
In this changing political landscape, ‘identity
oriented’ political organizations are looking
forward to establish a federal system that
guarantees their political, economic, social,
cultural and religious rights as diverse
ethnic and religious groups feel trapped
between a new reformed government and
international interests, while, India has to
deal with demands of separate states,
tackle so called ‘Anti-corruption’ bills,
soothe old yet lasting communal crises,
initiate an effective redistribution of the
national income and manage refugees
efficiently. On the international front, India
is eyeing a permanent seat in the United
Nations Security Council for which it is
working hard to pursue its ambition of
attaining leadership in South Asia and thus
earn a voice in South East Asia.
Strategic interests demand India to develop
Myanmar as its politically democratic and
economically egalitarian ‘ally’ as it is a land
bridge between South and Southeast Asia;
by combating ethno-religious and border
tensions which
carry serious security
implications for South and South East Asia
for future.
keep pace with the rising expectations of
This paper aims to make a comparative
Myanmar's
estimate among the measures taken to
pro-democratic
forces
and
balance its prodigal neighbor China’s
foster
inclusive
involvement in the same.
pluralistic
growth
countries
and
in
both
the
figure
out
maneuvers to accrue integrative nation
region with social wealfare is a must.If Indias
building through cooperation.
North east is calm and peacefull domestically
Future Of India Myanmar Engagement: Existing
Impediments and Untapped Potentials
it can have no major hurdles in carrying
forward its polices towards its eastern
neighbours.India shares maritime borders
Rinchen Tamang
with Mayanmar and with the induction of INS
Vikramaditya recently has become a game
India the largest Democracay going in for
changer in the overall maratime relations
General election in 2014,the formation of
.Indias pushing force in beter relations have
government by any political party will have a
been due to Chinas increasing role in
strong impact on shaping of domestic and
Mayanmar..Major
foreign policy.As variety is the spice of life
insurgents groups seeking asylum in both
different parties will have different forms of
countries role of extraregional powers in the
outlook and approach.It is
also equally
region,stand on democracy. Whether Aung
important for other countries to see a
san suki or military junta Indias continuation
favorable government seize power so that
of non interfernce policy has added advantage
reciprocal relations will benefit both in the
as well as disadvantage to the relations
long run as well as the short run.India and
between the two but India s interest will be
mayanmar have commonalities as far as social
best served with coming of Aung sang suki .
constriants
are
the
religious cultural ties are but politically they
differ. For both the countries to have a cordial
relations both domestic and external factors
have to be properly balanced on both sides .In
India the north eastern states which forms a
© The Jadavpur Association of International
major border with Myanmar is strategically
Relations, 2014
important it is the
land bridge connecting
India to south east asia.If we look at at the
north eastern states insurgency ,separatist
movements
have
been
a
mundane
feature.Positive steps for development in the