Bilateral
relations between Burma (officially the Union of Myanmar) and the Republic of
india have improved considerably since 1993, overcoming strains over drug
trafficking, the suppression of democracy and the rule of the military junta in
Burma. Burma is situated to the south of the states of Mizoram, Manipur,
Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. The proximity of the
People’s Republic of China give strategic importance to Indo-Burmese relations.
The Indo-Burmese border stretches over 1,600 miles.[1]
Contents
* 1
Background
* 2
Commercial relations
* 3
Development of strategic ties
* 4
References
Background
India was
one of the leading supporters of Burmese independence and established
diplomatic relations after Burma’s independence from Great Britain in 1948. For
many years, Indo-Burmese relations were strong due Burma previously having been
a province of India, due to cultural links, flourishing commerce, common
interests in regional affairs and the presence of a significant Indian
community in Burma.[1] India provided considerable support when Burma struggled
with regional insurgencies. However, the overthrow of the democratic government
by the Military of Burma led to strains in ties. Along with much of the world,
India condemned the suppression of democracy and Burma ordered the expulsion of
the Burmese Indian community, increasing its own isolation from the
world.[2][1] Only China maintained close links with Burma while India supported
the pro-democracy movement.[3][4][1]
A major
breakthrough occurred in 1987 when the then-Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
visited Burma, but relations worsened after the military junta’s bloody
repression of pro-democracy agitations in 1988, which led to an influx of
Burmese refugees into India.[3][1] However, since 1993 the governments of the
Indian Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee changed course
and began cultivating ties with Myanmar, as part of a wider foreign policy
approach aimed to increase India’s participation and influence in Southeast
Asia and to counteract the growing influence of the People’s Republic of
China..[3][4][1]
Commercial
relations
India
is the largest market for Burmese exports, buying about USD 220 million worth
of goods in 2000; India’s exports to Burma stood at USD 75.36 million.[1] India
is Burma’s 4th largest trading partner after Thailand, China and Singapore, and
second largest export market after Thailand, absorbing 25 percent of its total
exports.[5] India is also the seventh most important source of Burma’s imports.
The governments of India and Burma had set a target of achieving $1 billion and
bilateral trade reached USD 650 million U.S. dollars by 2006.[5] The Indian
government has worked to extend air, land and sea routes to strengthen trade
links with Myanmar and establish a gas pipeline.[5][3] While the involvement of
India’s private sector has been low and growing at a slow pace, both
governments are proceeding to enhance cooperation in agriculture,
telecommunications, information technology, steel, oil, natural gas,
hydrocarbons and food processing.[3][5] The bilateral border trade agreement of
1994 provides for border trade to be carried out from three designated border
points, one each in Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.[5]
On
February 13, 2001 India and Burma inaugurated a major 160 kilometre highway,
called the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Road, built mainly by the Indian Army’s
Border Roads Organisation and aimed to provide a major strategic and commercial
transport route connecting North-East India which connects South Asia with
Southeast Asia.[1]
Development
of strategic ties
India’s
move to forge close relations with Burma are motivated by a desire to counter
China’s growing influence as a regional leader and enhance its own influence
and standing.[1][3][6] Concerns and tensions increased in India over China’s
extensive military cooperation and involvement in developing ports, naval and
intelligence facilities and industries, specifically the upgrading of a naval
base in Sittwe, a major seaport located close to the eastern Indian city of
Kolkata.[1] India’s engagement of the Burmese military junta has helped ease
the regime’s international isolation and lessen Burma’s traditional reliance on
China.[1] Both nations sought to cooperate to counteract drug trafficking and
insurgent groups operating in the border areas.[3] India and Myanmar are
leading members of BIMSTEC and the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, along with
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, helping India develop its influence and
ties amongst Southeast Asian nations.[1][4] India was slow and hesitant in
reacting to the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests that had drawn
overwhelming international condemnation.[6] India also declared that it had no
intention of interfering in Burma’s internal affairs and that the Burmese
people would have to achieve democracy themselves.[3] This low-key response has
been widely criticised both within India and abroad as weakening India’s
credentials as a leading democratic nation.
References
1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Myanmar shows India the road to
Southeast Asia
2. ^ Years of Isolation Produced Intensely Poor Nation
3. ^ a b c
d e f g h i India-Burma ties
4. ^ a b c
Realism in India-Myanmar relations
5. ^ a b c
d e Global Politician – India-Myanmar Trade Relations
6. ^ a b c
India’s Burma Silence Says Volumes
Further reading..
Sources:
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mizzima
News group
Burma
Campaign for UK
