On Wednesday, India reiterated support for Myanmar’s transition towards a federal democracy and discussed the situation along the border during Foreign Office Consultations between the two countries.
The meeting was held at a time when anti-junta resistance forces have scored several successes against Myanmar’s ruling military in different parts of the country, including strategic locations near the borders with China and India.
Discussions on Situation Along Border
The 20th round of India-Myanmar Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The two sides discussed a wide range of issues covering the situation along the border.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra led the Indian side of the delegation, and the Myanmar delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister of Myanmar U Lwin Oo.
During the meeting, the two sides held discussions on security, trade, commerce, and connectivity, including the status of the bilateral development projects in Myanmar.
20th 🇮🇳-🇲🇲 FOC held in New Delhi today.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) December 6, 2023
Co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra & Deputy FM U Lwin Oo of Myanmar.
Both sides reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations including security situation and border management, transnational crimes, people-centric development… pic.twitter.com/M4bZLkkvqH
Concerns related to transnational crimes were also raised during the meeting.
India expressed its continued support to people-centric socio-economic developmental projects. These include connectivity projects and projects under the Rakhine State Development Programme and Border Area Development Programme for the benefit of the people of Myanmar.
Concerns About Border Situation, Operation 1027
On 27 October, Operation 1027 was launched by three Brotherhood Alliance, comprising the main Arakan Alliance (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) along with other anti-junta forces of Myanmar.
The country saw coordinated attacks on military posts in the country with the intent of wresting control from the junta. The anti-junta forces have managed to control over 170 junta outposts and have displaced over half a million people since the latest conflict emerged.
According to reports, the anti-coup forces took control of two military outposts on the border of Mizoram on 14 November.
India has seen an influx of refugees after clashes took place near its border with Myanmar in the Chin state of the latter near Mizoram.
Reports mentioned that over 2,000 refugees crossed over to Mizoram’s Champhai after fighting in Myanmar’s Rikhawdar and Khawmami towns to the Indian border town of Zokhawthar.
The MEA said, “We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border. Our position on the ongoing situation in Myanmar is very clear. We want cessation of the violence and resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue.”
India reiterated its call for the return of peace, stability, and democracy in the aftermath of the clashes.
In view of the evolving security situation, India issued a travel advisory to Indian nationals, asking them to avoid non-essential travel. “Those already living in Myanmar are advised to take precaution and avoid travel to the regions affected by violence,” the advisory said.
Additionally, the MEA asked Indian nationals living in Myanmar to register with the Indian Embassy in Yangon.
The 2021 Coup, India’s Relationship with Junta
Ever since the military coup took place in the neighbouring nation in 2021, over 30,000 Chin refugees from Myanmar have taken refuge in India.
Several people come to the Indian side during the night and return to their place during the day, with the two countries sharing a long land border of over 1,600 kilometres. The region has also seen significant turmoil due to the ethnic conflict in Manipur.
Indian authorities have been assisting the refugees on humanitarian grounds and have been facilitating the return of those interested in going back.
While India has expressed concerns about the situation in Myanmar on several occasions, it has continued to engage with the military regime.
A UN report titled “The Billion Dollar Death Trade: International Arms Networks that Enable Human Rights Violations in Myanmar” said that India has supplied 422 crore ($51 million) worth of arms to Myanmar’s military regime since the February 2021 coup.
Despite the reports, India has claimed to be concerned over the crisis and is trying to see how peace can be restored in Myanmar.