Launch of India-Burma Relations (1990-2011) Report & Interactive Session on Burma

Guwahati, March 9th 2012

Launch of India-Burma Relations (1990-2011) Report & Interactive Session on Burma

Burma Centre Delhi (BCD) in collaboration with Journalist Forum Assam (JFA) organized "Interactive Session on Changing Policies in Burma: Opportunities and Challenges" at the Press Club, Guwahati, Assam on 9th March 2012 at 10:30 am to 12:30 p.m.

The purpose of organizing a one day Interaction Session on Burma is to update civil society, media and social activist in India on the current situation evolving in Burma, to assess challenges and opportunities of political reforms, and to come up with an appropriate strategy to respond in a constructive approach.

The meeting was attended by various civil society groups, journalists and activists of North East India.

Dr. Tint Swe, Chairman of Burma Centre Delhi (BCD) expressed in his keynote speech that whether concrete or not there are visible changes in Burma. The Southeast Asian countries actively engaging with the ruling government there ( Burma) . The Western countries are very fast and active in this enterprise and Japan follows suite. China has been there for a long time. But India's hand is still short.

Dr. Alana Golmei, coordinator of Burma Centre Delhi (BCD) cautiously pointed out that the continuing waves of reforms in 2011 and 2012 including the release of several prominent political prisoners by the Burmese government in January gave optimism to many international observers, people in the country and governments around the world that Burma is finally on the track to irreversible reforms. Nevertheless, it will be too early to assume that the reform is irreversible when there are many serious questions still to be answered and challenges to be addressed in the country.

A report on "India-Burma Relations: Trends & Developments (1990-2011)" compiled & published by Burma Centre Delhi was launched by Rupam Baruah, President of the Journalist Forum Assam.

Contributors include Indian and Burmese Parliamentarians, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Mani Shanker Aiyer and Dr. Tint Swe; Social activist Jaya Jaitley; Intellectuals, Analyst and Researchers C.S Kuppuswamy , Dr K.Yhome, Prof Ganganath Jha, Prof Baladas Ghoshal; Strategist and Security Analyst Rahul.K. Bhonsle, Anil Bhat; Journalist Subir Bhaumik, Nava Thakuria and Satya Sagar.

Speaking about the report Dr. Alana Golmei, said "Change in Burma invites change from India through the Northeast". She added that "it will be appropriate for India to move beyond its self-centered strategic and economic interest in Burma and now play the role of a responsible neighbor by taking initiative towards improving education, healthcare, transnational civil society capacity-building and peace- initiatives" .

Dr. Tint Swe, an Elected Burmese Member of Parliament in 1990 belonging to National League for Democracy of Madam Aung San Suu Kyi and living in India for two decades pointed out that "the gateway to Southeast and East Asia for India is the Northeast. Unfortunately the ground in the NE is still not suitable to match up with new developments in Burma. It is crucial for India to make the road to Burma workable. Today, the traditional military joint venture between India and Burmese military regime is outdated. Therefore, an alternative approach, a constructive one towards India's Northeast and Burma is necessary."

"India should support a democratic regime in Burma and that New Delhi can help the people of northeast region. Because, the trouble in Burma is affecting our region as more people fled to Mizoram and also some northern area of Burma has been used by northeast Indian militants for training and taking shelter. If a progressive, democratic and friendly regime takes over in Nay-Pyi-Taw, the 60 million northeast Indian habitants will be directly benefited", said Nava Thakuria, Secretary, Journalists Forum Assam.

For More Information:

Dr. Tint Swe
Chairman, BCD

Dr. Alana
Coordinator, BCD

Nava Thakuria
Secy, JFA

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