Myanmar's elusive democracy and India's strategic stakes

Dipak Kurmi
Contd from previous issue
However, the project has been stalled due to ongoing armed conflicts in the Arakan and Chin states. In addition, India is exploring the possibility of a pragmatic trilateral highway connecting India, Myanmar, and Thailand for both economic and strategic purposes. Yet, until peace and stability return to Myanmar, these ambitious projects will remain in limbo.
One intriguing development on India’s eastern front is the growing tension between anti-junta forces in Myanmar and northeastern Indian militants who have long used Myanmar’s jungles as a base for their insurgencies against New Delhi. As the anti-junta resistance gains momentum, these militants are finding themselves increasingly unwelcome in Myanmar. Many Burmese civilians, who previously tolerated the presence of Indian separatist militants, are now turning against them for aligning with the brutal military regime. This shift has forced some Indian militant groups to rethink their strategies and seek refuge elsewhere.
In another significant move, New Delhi has invited several anti-junta outfits from northeastern India, along with Myanmar’s National Unity Government (the parallel government to the military junta), to participate in a mid-November seminar focused on Myanmar’s evolving constitutional democracy. If successful, this centre-supported initiative could mark a visible policy shift in India’s approach to its eastern neighbour and pave the way for a new era of cooperation and diplomacy.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Myanmar’s political future, there is widespread hope that the country will eventually achieve a stable democratic regime. The upcoming election, if held, must be a truly participatory process to ensure that the Burmese people have the opportunity to establish a forward-looking government that serves their interests. Such an outcome would not only benefit Myanmar’s citizens but also have significant positive implications for India’s northeast, which has long been affected by the instability and conflict in Myanmar.
While the path to democracy in Myanmar remains fraught with challenges, it is essential for both the Burmese people and the international community, including India, to continue pushing for meaningful political reforms. Only through sustained pressure and diplomatic engagement can Myanmar hope to overcome its current political deadlock and move towards a more democratic and prosperous future.
(the writer can be reached at [email protected])