The conflict between ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) and the military junta in Myanmar has created a serious humanitarian crisis, which the United Nations Security Council took up for discussion
Since October 2023, the ethnic armed groups and the PDF (People’s Defence Force) in Myanmar have been coordinated in their effort to resist the military junta.
These groups have been fighting the junta for many years, but this is the first time that they have been coordinated and have been able to hold at least 45% of the territory in Myanmar.
India need to rethink of India’s policy firstly because, the conflict is directly affecting India — there is an influx of refugees here.
Second, the EAOs are being supported by China.
At the same time, China has good relations with the military junta.
Apart from this, many of these resistance groups have actually taken control of all the trading routes that fall on the India-Myanmar, Myanmar-China, and Thailand-Myanmar border
Essentially, India’s traditional policy towards Myanmar has had two main facets:
one, to develop good cordial relations with the military junta and
second, to keep supporting democratic forces and ensure the strengthening of democracy.
Arguments for a policy review
One way to test the waters is to start providing humanitarian assistance, at least in the border areas between India and Myanmar.
India is directly affected, so we have a right to express our concern.
The people in Myanmar don’t have access to water, sanitary napkins, and anesthesia.
Providing humanitarian assistance is the most non-controversial way of intervening in this situation.
And then we can negotiate with the military rulers about rebuilding villages which have been bombed and which people cannot return to.
There is still a legitimate government there, even though it does not control all the territory.
Therefore, to address problem, it is very important for our authorities to talk to the government in Naypyidaw and explain that it is in our traditional mutual interest for the people of Myanmar to be assisted if their own government cannot help them
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