Myanmar Violence: What is the compulsion behind India's silence?

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Several other Western countries, including the US, have reacted sharply to the ongoing protests against the military administration in Myanmar and the deaths of over 400 protesters so far.

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But it seems that the Indian government is still silent in this matter.

No statement of India has been formally revealed so far on the army’s action in Myanmar on Saturday.

Since the military coup in February this year, there has been a lot of reactions, but that too suppressed c.

What could be the reason for this silence of India?

Myanmar-Violence

Difficult to be a neighboring country

Rajiv Bhatia, who is familiar with matters related to Myanmar and has been India’s ambassador to Myanmar, says that Myanmar is a neighbor of India, so this dilemma increases.

Rajiv says that the way America can react thousands of miles away, a neighboring country cannot.

He says, “Look, when one of my neighbor’s house is on fire, I will be most worried because that fire can come in my house too, on the other hand, the person who is sitting thousands of kilometers away, does not worry so much. Will. He has freedom, he can speak whatever he wants. “

“What the US, the European Union and Britain are saying, they have said the same things before (during the 1988 military coup) and it has not yielded any result. So if those people are repeating the mistakes again, they have the freedom But India is a country that has not forgotten its history. “

According to Rajiv Bhatia, India’s helplessness is that Myanmar is India’s neighboring country. He says, “This is a big reason why India cannot openly take a position? But still India has always said that it wants to see democracy flourishing in Myanmar.”

“We have to see that the sufferings of the people can be eradicated as soon as possible. India has also said that the violence that is taking place against the people should be abolished soon. But at the same time we also have to keep in mind that We have good relations with the Myanmar government. ”

Rajiv Bhatia says, “We have good relations with the Myanmar army as well, so using them, we have to help this country as much as possible.”

Two months after coup, India attends military parade in Myanmar. After the brutal crackdown by the military junta on the people of Myanmar, this move will be perceived as an endorsement of the violence. India's commitment to democratic ideals will be called into question.

— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) March 30, 2021

The government in India itself is under criticism for why India joined the eight countries that participated in the Myanmar Armed Forces Day military parade in Napidav on 27 March.

The event took place on the day when about 100 civilians died from the bullets of the soldiers. Apart from the representative of India, the representatives of Pakistan, China and Russia were also included in the event.

The opposition has raised questions on this. Congress spokesperson Shama Mahmood said in a tweet, “Two months after the coup, India participated in a military parade in Myanmar. The move will be considered a support for violence after the military’s brutal crackdown on the people of Myanmar. The democratic ideals India’s commitment to India will be questioned. “

Mayamar

India has also criticized

On Sunday, defense chiefs of several countries issued a joint statement condemning Myanmar’s violent military actions.

“Any professional army follows international standards in terms of conduct and is responsible not to harm the people of our country, but to protect them,” the statement said.

India is completely silent in the case of Myanmar, it is not so either. After the coup on February 1, the Foreign Ministry of India issued a statement expressing ‘deep concern’ over the developments in Myanmar.

The statement said, “India has always been steadfast in its support for the process of democratic change in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld.”

Also in a debate on Myanmar’s case at the United Nations on 26 February, TS Trimurti, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said, “India shares land and maritime borders with Myanmar and peace and stability are in its interest here.” Therefore, the recent developments in Myanmar are being closely monitored by India. We are concerned that the steps taken by Myanmar towards democracy in the last decades should not be undermined. “

China offers reconciliation

On the other hand, China has offered to reconcile between the country’s political parties and the military administration in the case of Myanmar. However, according to Rajiv Bhatia, China will not get any success in it.

He says, “I think there is a zero percent chance of it succeeding. History shows that whenever a problem in this area arises, China, first of all, proposes a reconciliation. You will remember that China has given Rohingya and Bangladesh There was also talk of a compromise between it but it got zero success. “

Experts say that there is no good feeling towards China among the people of Myanmar. The general belief is that there is more love and closeness in the hearts of people towards India.

In such a situation, it is a good opportunity for India to listen to the voice of the people and democratic parties of Myanmar and help them through dialogue.

But according to Indian diplomat Rajiv Bhatia for 37 years, it will not be so easy. In his view, India will have to take careful steps. Also, China will not allow this to happen.

He says, India opposes whatever China tries to do in Myanmar and China will oppose whatever India tries to do. “

Reconciliation efforts

According to experts, efforts are underway towards the Union of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) under the leadership of Indonesia and it is possible that a peace conference will be organized in the middle of April. Myanmar is also one of the member countries of ASEAN.

According to the Indonesian media, ASEAN’s effort is that Myanmar’s political parties and military officials sit on a table and discuss among themselves, so that democracy can be restored again in the country.

Rajiv Bhatia also supports the ongoing efforts from ASEAN.

He says, “The conflict that is going on in Myanmar at this time can only be resolved through dialogue. Myanmar’s leaders and military officers will have to solve this problem together. Others may help, but they have no magic wand. “

Bhatia says, “Who can intervene in this matter? It cannot be done by America, United Nations, India or China. Everyone has their own shortcomings, due to which they cannot get it done.”

“If anyone can do this work, then that is a platform like ASEAN.” The good luck is that Indonesia has taken the initiative in its own way, leading the ASEAN. I think the world should support this initiative. “

Reconciliation-efforts

What happened in Myanmar?

This is the second major mass movement in the history of Myanmar. First, in 1988, a huge movement was started by the students against the military rule.

Aung San Suu Kyi emerged as a national leader in this movement. After this, when the military administration held elections in 1990, his party, the National League for Democracy, won a landslide victory.

The military administration rejected the election results and Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest.

This detention ended in the year 2010. Since then, he actively participated in the efforts to bring democracy in the country. She was Myanmar’s State Counselor (equivalent to Prime Minister) from 2016 to 2021 and was also a Foreign Minister.

On the first date of February this year, the army overthrew the Myanmar government and took over the administration. Since then there has been a movement in the country, which is being led by the younger generation and students.