Are Myanmar, Manipur mere pawns of geopolitics?
Source: The Sangai Express / Waari Singbul Network

Imphal, May 12 2024: In the intricate web of global politics, the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and Manipur are not isolated incidents as reported by Western media but rather pieces in a larger geopolitical puzzle.

While the world's attention may be focused on conflicts in other regions, the situation in Myanmar and its spill-over effects in Manipur hold significant implications amidst the prevailing global turmoil.

Contrary to the portrayal by Western Governments and media, the conflict in Myanmar is not merely an internal struggle between a military regime and democratic forces.

Instead, it embodies a complex narrative rooted in decades of Western interventionism aimed at reasserting control over a former British colony.

The involvement of armed ethnic groups, once utilized by Western powers during World War II, underscores the historical entanglement of Myanmar's trajectory with Western interests.

In parallel, the ethnic violence in Manipur, that erupted on May 3, 2023, reflects deeper tensions rooted in population warfare and land insecurity.

Despite Western Governments' attempt, including the US and Western media, to frame it as religious persecution, the reality is far more complex, with indigenous Meiteis and Kuki-Zo populations caught in a struggle for autonomy and territorial control.

The Western narrative extends further, with groups like the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA) that allegedly has links with Canada-based Khalistani Indian separatists, leveraging international platforms to criticize India, alleging violations of religious freedom.

Such narratives, intertwined with broader geopolitical agendas, underscore the multifaceted nature of external interference in regional conflicts.

In Myanmar, the recent escalation, marked by attacks on Naypyidaw, highlights the psychological warfare employed by opposition forces against the junta.

However, the see-saw nature of the conflict reflects the enduring struggle for dominance amidst Myanmar's ethno-political landscape and broader geopolitical objectives, including the containment of China's influence.

Ultimately, the fate of Myanmar and Manipur hinges on the outcome of a wider global contest between competing interests.

Whether they descend further into chaos or find a path towards stability depends on collective efforts to challenge existing power structures and foster meaningful dialogue.

Until then, Myanmar and Manipur will remain ensnared in the grip of perpetual conflict, mere pawns in the broader geopolitical chessboard.

Comment