June 26th 2024.
On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his Myanmarese counterpart U Than Shwe in New Delhi. During their meeting, Jaishankar expressed India's deep concern over the violence and instability in Myanmar and its impact on the Indian border. He also sought cooperation from Myanmar in facilitating the early return of Indian nationals trapped in the town of Myawaddy.
In a post on his social media platform, Jaishankar shared that he had emphasized the importance of maintaining credible security for India's ongoing projects in Myanmar. He also stressed the need for a prompt return to democratic transition in the country. The minister specifically highlighted the impact of the ongoing violence and instability in Myanmar on the Indo-Myanmar border, where several areas have been witnessing intense fighting between the military junta and resistance forces.
The anti-junta forces have managed to capture several towns, including military bases and a command center in Myawaddy, since April. In light of these developments, Jaishankar conveyed to Shwe that India is open to engaging with all stakeholders to address the situation in Myanmar.
During their meeting, Jaishankar also brought up the issues of illegal narcotics, arms smuggling, and trafficking in persons as priority challenges. He sought Myanmar's cooperation in facilitating the early return of Indian nationals trapped in Myawaddy. Additionally, the minister pressed for credible security protection for India's ongoing projects in Myanmar and urged for a speedy return to the path of democratic transition. He assured Shwe that India is ready to offer any assistance in this regard.
The ongoing violence and instability in Myanmar have resulted in the resistance forces gaining control of key trading points along the borders with India, China, and Bangladesh. The country has been facing widespread protests since the military coup on February 1, 2021, demanding the restoration of democracy. The Rakhine state and other regions have also reported severe fighting between armed ethnic groups and the Myanmarese military since last year.
The escalation of hostilities between the two sides has raised concerns in New Delhi about the potential impact on the security of Manipur and Mizoram, which are located near the India-Myanmar border. As India continues to closely monitor the situation, Jaishankar's meeting with Shwe highlights the country's commitment to addressing the ongoing issues in Myanmar.
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