Time to reap benefits ?
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 20 2011 -

The recent four-day visit of the President of Myanmar, U Thein Sein to India was significant in many ways. For starters, this is the first visit of the head of an elected civilian government of Myanmar to India after the military Junta gave up power.

This visit will further cement the ties between the two countries and will further consolidate India's move to find a foothold in Burma as part of its 'look east policy'.

India shared a very good relation with Myanmar (Burma then) when it became independent in 1948, helping out the beleaguered government of Prime Minister U Nu with military and economic assistance.

But the relationship soured after the coup led by Gen Ne win in 1962. When the uprising against the military junta took place in 1988, India stood firmly on the side of the pro democracy movement in line with its avowed commitment to liberal democracy ideals.

Around this time, pro democracy activists were openly supported by many organizations and national leaders like George Fernandes, many were given asylum in the country. The Indian government appealed repeatedly to the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) for the release of pro democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

But the changing geo political scenario as also the need to advance its national interest prompted India to go easy on its conscience and adopt a more pragmatic approach in its relation with Myanmar.

It started openly courting the Burmese junta. Some of the more compelling reasons for this pronounced tilt towards the Burmese ruling dispensations are, the need to contain the Chinese influence in Myanmar, the security scenario vis-a-vis north east with many insurgent groups of the region reported to have set up well entrenched camps in Myanmar, and economic - Myanmar is blessed with huge reserves of natural resources, especially gas and oil.

The opening of the Moreh-Tamu Border Trade jointly inaugurated on April 12, 1995 by the then Commerce Minister of India P Chidambaram and Trade Minister of Maynmar Lt Gen Tun Kyi and the construction of the 165 Km long Indo-Myanmar Friendship Road or the Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo Road Mandalay entirely funded by India in 2001 are some of the significant steps towards this engagement with Myanmar with renewed vigour.

Though India still has quite some way to go before it can measure up to China's presence in Myanmar, its effort seems to be paying off.

During the just concluded visit of the Myanmarese President, India further offered $500 million line of credit. Besides this the two heads of the government agreed to resolve border issues, enhance trade and energy ties, and examine the feasibility of rail link as well as progress of road links through the North East among other things.

What should most please the Indian establishment is the willingness of Myanmar to take action against North Eastern insurgent groups based in its soil.

Announcing its seriousness, the Myanmarese Government has asked its Indian counterpart for satellite imagery of insurgent camps from the North East based in Myanmar so as to enable it to start operations against these groups.

Also, to further enhance security co operation India had proposed a corps commanders' meet twice a year, at present, division commanders' of both the countries meet four times a year. India now is demanding payback for its investments and seems to be getting it.

But for the North East, particularly for Manipur, the improved Indo-Myanmar relations starting with the much hyped border trade at Moreh-Tamu has not lived up to its expectations.

In fact, it is the illegal trade of cheap Chinese products and drugs which is supposed to be flourishing. Many experts from the region have projected that India's 'Look East Policy' will not bring any substantial benefit to the people of the region save for some crumbs.

The government of India should frame its 'Look East' policy with the North East in special focus, besides other considerations.

The region should be equipped in every possible way, in terms of infrastructure development, identifying the strong points of the area, giving incentives to these areas etc., so that it is able to take advantage of the 'Look East Policy' of India.