India's Myanmar Policy: A Call for a 'Values-Driven' Strategic Shift
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India-Myanmar, Act East Policy, Free Movement Regime), Indian Polity (1951 Refugee Convention, Principle of Non-refoulement).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: India and its neighborhood- relations; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; Bilateral, regional and global groupings.
GS Paper 3: Security challenges and their management in border areas.
Key Highlights from the News
The article criticizes India's current policy towards the Myanmar junta, which came to power through a military coup in February 2021.
India, to protect its "interests," cooperates with the military regime, ignoring pro-democracy resistance movements.
However, the article argues that India can better protect its "interests" by adopting a foreign policy based on "values."
For this, the article proposes four points:
Promote Federalism: India should help the National Unity Government (NUG) in Myanmar create a federal constitution. This will differentiate India from China.
Stop Weapon Sales: India should immediately cease weapon sales to the Myanmar military.
Open Humanitarian Corridors: To deliver cross-border humanitarian aid, the Free Movement Regime (FMR) should be reinstated.
Stop Refugee Repatriation: Although India has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, based on the principle of non-refoulement, India should not send refugees back into danger.
The article concludes that these changes are essential to maintain India's image as a "Vishwabhandu" (friend of the world).
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