Jul 21, 2011

Indo Myanmar Relations

            India’s External Affairs Minister Mr S M Krishna paid an official visit to Myanmar from 20-22 June 2011. This was the first high level engagement with the newly established civilian government in Myanmar after its assumption of office on 30th March, 2011. India’s principal points of contact are security, connectivity, IT, Energy, Agriculture, Power, Telecommunications and Infrastructure. Some of the areas of progress include construction of Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and completion of three of the ten Rice Silos (Warehouses) being set up in the country with India’s assistance following the devastating Cyclone Nargis that hit the country 3 years ago. There is however limited progress on implementation of many other projects and concern that the Chinese are making inroads in the country with their command based execution of projects at high speed and with low costs. Indian efforts are slow and plodding even though some projects as Tamanthi is in a region that is bordering India and thus would provide a push to border security as well.

            India is also pushing for national reconciliation and democratic progress in Myanmar as Mr S M Krishna met the NLD Leader Aung Suu Kyi as well during his visit to Yangon. Aung Suu Kyi who has had her college education in Delhi has always wanted the Indian government to be more supportive of the democratic parties in the country though the realpolitik of Sino Indian competition has prevented progress in this field.

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