In a significant development amidst the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, India has extended invitations to political and military opponents of the junta to participate in a seminar in New Delhi. This initiative, reported by news agency Reuters, marks a potential shift in India’s approach to the escalating conflict in its neighboring country.
The seminar, scheduled for mid-November, will be hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), a government-funded organization. Notably, India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is a member of the ICWA’s council. The event will focus on the theme of “Constitutionalism and Federalism,” with invitations extended to the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic minority rebel groups from the Chin, Rakhine, and Kachin states, all of which share borders with India.
The inclusion of these groups signifies a departure from India’s past policy of primarily engaging with the ruling junta in Myanmar. The escalating civil war, sparked by the military’s ousting of the elected civilian government in February 2021, poses a growing threat to India’s security interests along their 1,650-kilometer shared border. It also jeopardizes key infrastructure projects in the region, including the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), which is crucial for India’s strategic ambitions to counter Chinese influence and enhance stability in its northeastern territories.
While Western powers have condemned the junta and imposed sanctions, India has maintained a delicate balance, engaging with the generals through visits to Naypyitaw by its government and defense officials. However, the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, particularly in regions like Paletwa and Sittwe, and the recent declarations by the Arakan Army (AA), have prompted India to reassess its approach.
The seminar, therefore, represents a strategic move by India to engage with a broader range of stakeholders in Myanmar. The stability of the country is crucial for India, particularly for its northeastern region and vital connectivity projects like the KMTTP. The decision to invite the NUG and ethnic minority rebels to this seminar signifies a willingness to engage with diverse perspectives in Myanmar, potentially seeking solutions to the ongoing conflict and securing India’s interests in the region.
