INDIA & MYANMAR RELATIONS 2020
Bilateral relations between Myanmar (officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar or the Union of Burma) and the Republic of India encompass the political, economic and socio-cultural relations that exist between the two neighboring Asian countries. Political relations have improved considerably since 1993, overcoming tensions related to drug trafficking, the suppression of democracy and the rule of the military junta in Myanmar. Economic relations are considerable with India representing Myanmar's 4th largest export market and the country's 5th largest import partner. India and Myanmar have shared cultural roots and historical relations, apart from the strategic, economic, social and political ties.
AREAS OF COOPERATION BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
Both India and Myanmar are members of the ASEAN. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and socio-cultural integration among its members and other countries in Asia. ASEAN also regularly engages other countries in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. It has its headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Connectivity projects through Myanmar help India overcome its Chicken-neck dilemma (Siliguri Corridor). Myanmar is also necessary for the development of North-Eastern India. Myanmar stands at the confluence of India’s Neighborhood First and Act East Policy and India-Myanmar partnership is at the heart of India’s vision to create a connected and cooperative neighborhood.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and Southeast Asia, housing 1.5 billion people. The BIMSTEC member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand – are among the countries dependent on the Bay of Bengal. The purpose of BIMSTEC is to accelerate the economic growth and social progress in the sub-region through joint endeavors in a spirit of equality and partnership. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, technical and scientific fields.
Myanmar's growing closeness with China and the recent proposal of China Myanmar Economic Corridor is a cause of concern for India amidst growing India-China tension.
OTHER ISSUES
OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE SITTWE PORT
During the visit of the Indian army chief and foreign secretary to Myanmar, the two countries on Monday agreed to work towards operationalising the Sittwe port in the first quarter of 2021. The Sittwe port is situated at the mouth of Kaladan river and is financed by India as a part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which is a collaboration between India and Myanmar.
It is a deep underwater port on the Bay of Bengal and will enhance the transport infrastructure between southwestern Myanmar and north-eastern India. After its operationalization, the goods can be transported from Kolkata to Sittwe port and then to Mizoram.
The Kaladan Project will provide an alternative route to North-East India with the rest of the country. Currently, the narrow Siliguri Corridor provides access to the seven North-East states of India. With the operationalization of this alternative route, the transportation delays and cost overheads will be reduced significantly.
KALADAN MULTI-MODAL PROJECT
The Kaladan Road Project is a US$484 million project connecting the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa in Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India.
In 2010, India started working on a mega infrastructural project in Myanmar. The aim was to construct an integrated port and waterway transport terminal at Sittwe. This construction was completed in the year 2018 at the cost of Rs. 517.29 crores. The project reduced the distance between Kolkata to Sittwe by around 1,328 km.
It also reduced the need to transport goods via narrow Siliguri corridor. An agreement was signed between India and Myanmar for the operationalization of the port in October 2018. However, promised operationalization was hindered due to the conflict between the Myanmar military and the insurgent group Arakan Army.
ROHINGYA MUSLIM'S ISSUE
The Rohingya people are a stateless Indo-Aryan ethnic group who predominantly follow Islam and reside in Rakhine State, Myanmar. There were an estimated 1 million Rohingya living in Myanmar before the Rohingya genocide in 2017. Described by the United Nations in 2013 as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world, the Rohingya population is denied citizenship under the 1982 Myanmar nationality law.
Bangladesh has been pushing for early repatriation of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas. Thus, Indian delegation took this into consideration and assured safe, sustainable and speedy return of Rohingya refugees from refugee's camps of Bangladesh. India has laid emphasis on the socio-economic development of the Rakhine province to create enough economic incentive for refugees who will return from the camps.
In December 2017, India and Myanmar signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on the Rakhine State Development Programme. This provided an annual grant in aid of $ 5 million. Both the countries noted significant progress under the Rakhine State Development Programme (RSDP) and India has proposed to finalize the projects pending under phase-III of the programme. This includes setting up a skills training centre, up-gradation of agricultural mechanisation, etc.
COOPERATION IN COVID PANDEMIC
As a part of India’s Medical or Drug Diplomacy a package of 3,000 vials of the antiviral Remdesivir given to assist Myanmar in its fight against the pandemic. India has shown willingness to priorities Myanmar in sharing Covid -19 vaccines, when available.
CHALLENGES TO INDIA & MYANMAR RELATIONS
Internal Security is a major concern for India; Indo-Myanmar border is porous and lightly policed which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from North Eastern part of India e.g. Supply of trained cadres, arms trafficking. Bilateral trade between India and Myanmar still falls short of expectations. Overtime trust deficit has widened between India-Myanmar because of the Indian reputation for delaying implementation of various projects. China has asserted itself through its soft power as well as through its trade and economic relations with Myanmar by taking up large infrastructure projects. As China’s growing influence in the region is a potential threat to India, New Delhi would like to enhance India’s presence by developing infrastructure and connectivity projects in the country. India has found it difficult to counter Chinese influence in Myanmar.
QUESTION (1-5)
Q.1 India & Myanmar shares political, economic and socio-cultural relations between them. Which of the following is an organization where both the nations are members of it?
A. ASEAN: ANSWER
B. Quad Groupings
C. SAARC
D. BRICS
Q.2 ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia. Where is the headquarters of ASEAN located?
A. Kathmandu, Nepal
B. Dhaka, Bangladesh
C. Jakarta, Indonesia: ANSWER
D. Bangkok, Thailand
Q.3 Recently, during the visit Indian Army Chief to Myanmar both the countries have agreed towards the operationalization of which of the following ports?
A. Chittagong port
B. Sittwe port: ANSWER
C. Sabang port
D. Chabahar port
Q.4 _______ is a project connecting the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea.
A. One Belt one Road initiatives
B. Yangon Multi Modal road Project
C. Irrawaddy Multi Modal road Project
D. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: ANSWER
Q.5 Rohingya people who are a stateless Indo-Aryan ethnic group are predominantly residing in which of the following states of Myanmar?
A. Yangon State
B. Rakhine State: ANSWER
C. Chin State
D. Kayin State
