Delhi rolls out the red carpet
Source : Dinesh C. Sharma, Bangkok Post
India is side-lining the pro-democracy movement sympathies of some of its ministers with its embrace of Burma's junta, but it feels the effort is needed to counter the influence of Beijing in Rangoon.
Burma seems to be the flavour of the month in the Indian capital. A couple of bilateral visits this month are likely to mark a new chapter in Indo-Burmese relations, with New Delhi's tacit support for the democracy movement in Burma being pushed firmly to the background.
Already this month, Burmese Home (Interior) Minister Col Tin Hlaing has paid a nine-day visit. This is being followed by the Nov 14-21 visit of General Maung Aye, the number two in the Burmese military junta. He is the highest ranking leader to visit India this past decade. Gen Maung Aye's visit will be followed by the inauguration of the Tamu-Kalemyo road link by Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh.
The death of Indian soldiers on Oct 25 on the Nagaland border with Burma came up during the meeting between Col Tin Hlaing and the Indian home and defence ministers. At least three Indian paramilitary soldiers were killed on the remote northeast border when Burmese troops opened fire after mistaking the soldiers for Naga guerrillas. Burma later offered an "unqualified apology" and said it would launch an inquiry into the incident. Two Indian troops also were injured in the shootout.
Burma and India share a 1600km-long frontier, which is porous as many villages have the borderline running right through them. The two countries have decided to take steps for better policing of the border. Col Tin Hlaing gave an assurance that Burma would not allow its territory to be used by militants for anti-India activity.
It was ironic to see Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes hold talks with a junta leader, particularly in light of his past position on democracy in Burma. Mr Fernandes has been a vocal supporter of the Burmese democratic struggle. He still allows some exiled Burmese pro-democracy activists to function from his official residence in New Delhi.
"The Burmese home minister was in Delhi to discuss counter-insurgency and other common interests," said Brahma Chellany, foreign policy specialist at New Delhi's Centre for Policy Research. "But his trip is part of the Indo-Burmese rapprochement that has seen a growing number of senior officials from each side visit the other country."The Indian government has stressed that the rule of the military in Rangoon will not become a hindrance in the growing economic and political relationship between the two countries, "as India does not believe in interfering in another country's internal affairs". However, this stand does not apply to Pakistan, where India has refused to conduct business with its military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. The difference is that India suspects the military rule in Pakistan of abetting cross-border terrorism while the Rangoon junta has been helpful in fighting militant activity along India's northeastern borders.
The 160km-long Tamu-Kalemyo road link has been built by India to connect Tamu in India with Kalemyo in Burma's Sagaing division. Construction of the road by India's Border Roads Organisation began in 1997 with the financial assistance of India. It is expected to boost trade with Burma, and India looks at this link as a means to become connected physically with Southeast Asia.
Burma is important for Indian industry not only for bilateral economic relations but also for greater integration of the regional co-operation in South and Southeast Asia.
"We look at Burma even more than bilaterally as Burma is a strategic partner for India's integration into Southeast Asia," said T. K. Bhaumik, an official with the Confederation of Indian Industry.
India announced last week that it would extend a $15 million (653 million baht) line of credit to Burma for purchase of its goods. In 1997, India offered a $10 million (435 million baht) line of credit.
The visit of Gen Maung Aye is seen as an important part of the engagement initiated by the Indian government. He is accompanied by the ministers of foreign affairs, finance, commerce, industry, and science and technology. He is scheduled to hold wide-ranging discussions with the Indian leadership.
"India recognises that it erred seriously when it completely ostracised the Burmese military junta and sided with the democratic opposition, allowing China to gain a strategic foothold in Burma," said foreign policy expert Mr Chellany, explaining the new warmth in the relationship with Burma.
"With China now engaged in major military and intelligence activity in Burma, including activity directed against India, it makes sense for New Delhi to engage the junta in Rangoon."