Rangoon allays fears of Chinese domination
Source : Dinesh C. Sharma, Bangkok Post
The high profile visit of General Maung Aye has helped Rangoon clear some of the apprehensions of New Delhi regarding growing Chinese interests in Burma.
The week-long visit to New Delhi of General Maung Aye, the number two in the Burmese military junta, has not only helped Burma lessen India's concerns regarding the increase in Chinese interests in that country; the visit is also expected to result in greater involvement of India in the ongoing effort of the military regime to develop infrastructure in Burma.
"I want to tell the Indian public that any island in my country, or Myanmar's soil, will not be used as a military base by any power against India," declared Burmese foreign minister Win Aung, when asked by correspondents to comment on China's growing naval presence in Burma.
New Delhi has been concerned over reports about Chinese military activity in the Coco islands off Burma, for some time.
The issue was raised by Indian defence minister George Fernandes during talks with Burmese home minister Tin Hlaing earlier this month.
The Burmese foreign minister said Mr Fernandes has been given the same assurance.
The recent warmth seen in Indo-Burmese relations is partly driven by India's security concerns in the region, particularly fears of growing Chinese influence in Burma.
In addition to security concerns, China's help to the military junta in building infrastructure has also been cited as a proof of Chinese influence.
Now India too has stepped up its efforts to help the Burmese junta in its drive to improve infrastructure facilities. The visit of Gen Maung Aye saw several new initiatives in this regard.
A Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (Bipa) is currently under negotiation with Burma. India anticipates that this would be brought to fruition in the near future.
Burma has sought India's help in developing a deep water port and other projects.
Gen Maung Aye sought India's participation in the 750-megawatt Yewa power project near Mandalay. India is already involved in the 110-megawatt Tamanthi hydro-electric power project on the banks of Chindwin river.
In order to push trade, India is also likely to participate in developing a transport corridor along the Kaladan river which leads to the Bay of Bengal.
One important project that has already been completed is a road linking border areas of the two countries.
"We share long land and maritime borders. Communities living along both sides of our border share family, social and religious ties. It is essential that we make joint efforts to develop these border areas. There are several cross-border projects, which have the potential of transforming the economies of these regions," said Indian Vice President Krishna Kant.
"The Tamu-Kalewa highway will form an important link from the India-Myanmar border to central Myanmar, and the commercial and cultural centre of Mandalay. Such infrastructure projects would promote travel, tourism and commerce between people living along the border as well as in the interior," observerd Mr Kant at an official dinner in honour of Gen Maung Aye.
Providing some details on India-Burma economic relations, a spokesman of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said India is Burma's largest market mainly for beans, pulses and accounts for 25% of their overall exports.
The bilateral trade has increased from US$13 million in 1980-81 to $196.6 million in 1999-2000. Indian exports are of the order of $69 million and imports $128 million.