India focuses on economy, security with Burma

India focuses on economy, security with Burma


Nirmala Ganapathy
The Straits Times
Publication Date : 27-07-2010





As the international community presses the Burmese junta on democratic reforms, the Indian leadership will focus on economic cooperation and border security during talks with Burmese Senior General Than Shwe.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to meet Gen Than Shwe for talks on Tuesday (July 27), during which issues such as increasing connectivity and stepping up economic engagement are high on the agenda. But more than that, the message from the Indian leadership continues to be this: engagement with Burma remains a priority for India.

"We regard Myanmar (Burma) as an important neighbour and there have been regular high-level visits. There is a steady progress and consolidation of ties," said official sources.

In an indication of the high level of comfort enjoyed by the two sides, Gen Than Shwe is currently on one of the most wide-ranging visits undergone by a visiting dignitary, travelling to four different parts of the country.

His visit started in the Buddhist holy place of Bodhgaya and will end with visits to Hyderabad, India's IT hub, as well as Jamshedpur, the steel city of conglomerate Tata.

On both sides, ties are being driven by strategic considerations. On the economic front, India wants to move fast on the Kaladan multi-modal transit project, a US$120 million project, which involves sea, river and road connectivity, and to see some movement on a trilateral highway project connecting India, Burma and Thailand.




Due to its geographical position, India has always considered Burma a gateway to Southeast Asia and also to India's northeast. At present, access to the north-eastern states is through a bottleneck access point through the state of West Bengal. Although Bangladesh provides the natural alternative, due to domestic reasons, Dhaka has been hesitant in allowing access. Nevertheless, India has found a willing partner in Burma.

The Kaladan project will establish a transport corridor that starts in Sittwe port in Burma and leads to the northeastern states.

Apart from connectivity, border security is also high on the Indian agenda. Officials point out that Burma has helped India out with insurgents in the north-east who have been unsuccessful in building safe havens across the border.

In the wake of these considerations, coupled with New Delhi's fear of Beijing extending its influence in Burma, the debate on democracy has had little impact on India's ties with Burma.

India's former foreign secretary, Lalit Mansingh, said: "We have important economic interests but more than that, there is the strategic interest, Myanmar (Burma) is vital for security interests."

Experts say India and China offer alternatives to Burma in the face of increasing international isolation over its lack of democratic reforms.