India raises concerns about Myanmar violence; flags arms, narcotics trafficking
- In Reports
- 10:24 PM, Jun 26, 2024
- Myind Staff
India raised its deep concern over violence and instability in Myanmar and the threat posed by the trafficking of narcotics and weapons when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister Than Shwe in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Mr Jaishankar also called for an early return to the path of democratic transition in Myanmar.
"Discussed our deep concern at the impact of continuing violence and instability in Myanmar on our border. India is open to engaging all stakeholders in addressing this situation," Mr Jaishankar said in a post on X, after meeting Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Shwe in Delhi today.
"Particularly flagged illegal narcotics, arms smuggling and trafficking in persons as priority challenges. Sought cooperation for early return of Indian nationals trapped in Myawaddy," he said.
This was in line with India’s stated position that all players in Myanmar should cease hostilities and return to the path of dialogue to find a solution.
Myanmar’s junta has faced a series of significant defeats since three powerful armed groups united last year to launch “Operation 1027” (named after the date the offensive began). These groups collaborated with smaller militias to seize key towns and trade posts along Myanmar’s borders with India, Bangladesh, and China, capturing hundreds of military bases and positions. The junta's control remains primarily concentrated in central Myanmar.
India shares a combined 1,600-km-long border with Myanmar in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. The Manipur government has attributed the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state to a significant influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, among other issues.
Only 10 percent of the 400-km international border that lies in Manipur is fenced, leaving it largely open as a transit route for drug trafficking into northeast India from the "Golden Triangle" — the tri-junction of the Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand border.
In view of the violence and instability in border areas of Myanmar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in January announced a plan to fence the border.
In April, New Delhi's interests were affected when resistance forces made advances in areas around Sittwe, where a port was developed with Indian financial aid. India responded by closing its consulate in Sittwe and withdrawing its diplomats from the city.
India's concerns have escalated in recent weeks due to clashes between government troops and resistance forces in the Sagaing region, which borders the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland.
People familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, have indicated that hundreds of Indian nationals were allegedly lured to Myawaddy with promises of jobs in the IT sector, such as data entry operators, only to be coerced into participating in cyber fraud networks.
It is believed that Chinese criminal syndicates are behind what has become known as the “pig butchering” scam, where online fraudsters deceive individuals into depositing money into fake platforms.
Over the past two years, similar scams targeting Indian nationals have been uncovered in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Indian authorities have assisted hundreds of its nationals who were deceived into travelling to these countries to return home safely.
In recent years, India has maintained ties with Myanmar’s junta due to the military's role in combating anti-India militant groups operating from Myanmar's territory. This cooperation has contributed to enhancing security in India’s strategic northeastern states. While India has been cautious not to push the junta closer to China, it has recently initiated outreach efforts with representatives of the resistance forces and Myanmar’s government in exile.
Image source: X
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