India reportedly extends unprecedented invite to Myanmar's anti-junta forces
- In Reports
- 10:58 PM, Sep 23, 2024
- Myind Staff
India has extended an invitation to political and military opponents of Myanmar’s ruling junta for a seminar in New Delhi, marking a notable shift in its diplomatic stance. This development is significant as India has maintained relationships with Myanmar’s top generals, who have been largely isolated by Western nations following the February 2021 coup. The ongoing civil war in Myanmar, which erupted after the military ousted an elected civilian government, poses a threat to the stability of India’s 1,650-km border with Myanmar and jeopardises several key infrastructure projects in the region.
According to a leader of an armed group and two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, India’s invitation has been extended to representatives from the National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic minority rebel groups from the Chin, Rakhine, and Kachin states, which border India. The seminar, scheduled for mid-November, will be hosted by the government-funded Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). Two additional sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, confirmed the involvement of ICWA, whose council includes India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.
It remains unclear whether Myanmar’s military government will be invited to the seminar, which will focus on “Constitutionalism and Federalism.” Sources did not provide additional details regarding the event.
Since the 2021 coup, widespread protests in Myanmar have escalated into a nationwide rebellion, with an armed resistance movement joining forces with established ethnic armies to gain control over significant areas of territory from the military. The junta has consistently rejected dialogue with these rebels, labelling them as “terrorists.”
Speaking of the seminar, Sui Khar, vice chairman of one of the ethnic rebel groups, the Chin National Front, said, “We are going to send representatives.”
“This will be the first time, I think, formally, that India will engage with the non-state actors. This is a good, positive approach.”
A spokesperson for Myanmar’s military did not respond to phone calls seeking comment, and both the Indian government and the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) did not provide immediate responses to inquiries.
Among the armed groups invited to the seminar are the Arakan Army, which controls significant territory in Rakhine State bordering Bangladesh, and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), recognised as one of Myanmar’s most powerful rebel forces.
A spokesperson for the president of the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) declined to comment on the seminar, while the Arakan Army and KIA also did not respond to requests for comment.
While the junta has faced condemnation from Western powers, most of whom have imposed sanctions, India has continued its engagement with the military leadership through visits to Naypyitaw by government and defence officials.
India has been cautious in openly criticising the junta, wary that such actions could push the generals closer to rival China. To date, New Delhi has not had any formal engagement with the junta’s opponents.
The objectives of the upcoming seminar remain unclear, as does the reasoning behind India’s decision to host it.
In June, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern over border instability and the security risks posed to India’s projects in Myanmar. He stated that India is “open to engaging all stakeholders in addressing this situation” during discussions with his Myanmar counterpart.
India is actively involved in the development of the $400 million Kaladan port and highway project in western Myanmar, along with contributing approximately $250 million for another road project aimed at connecting its landlocked northeastern states with Thailand via Myanmar.
The proposed seminar comes as the ASEAN grouping of Southeast Asian nations seeks to promote peace in Myanmar, an effort that has made little progress since its introduction in April 2021, particularly due to frustration among some ASEAN members regarding the junta’s refusal to engage in dialogue.
Last year, former ASEAN chair Indonesia reported receiving positive signals regarding preliminary dialogue from major parties involved in the conflict, but there has yet to be any significant progress.
The upcoming November seminar is viewed as New Delhi’s most substantial effort to engage with Myanmar’s “pro-democracy side” since the 2021 coup, according to Angshuman Choudhury, a researcher based in Singapore who closely monitors India-Myanmar relations.
“We also need to see … whether it is meant to achieve specific foreign policy outcomes or simply relay a signal to the Myanmar military to step back,” he said.
“India remains concerned about the security and stability of its borders.”
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