India's Burma policy requires imagination: Former UN Ambassador

"I cannot but recommend a continuation of our foreign policy towards Burma, with a right mix of commitment to democracy and readiness to work with the military government," Sreenivasan, who served as India's Charge D' affairs in Burma from 1983 to 1986 said.

"Our general policy of dealing with those in authority in Myanmar [ Burma] should also enable us to keep our options open in the event of democracy being reinstated in the immediate future," he added.

Sreenivasan holds the view that Burma needs India as much as we need Burma and reasons for the proximity with democratic India is an asset for the Burmese regime in its struggle against the Western onslaught on its dictatorial character. Burma also needs to diversify its ties beyond China, he said.

Talking about China , Sreenivasan said given the history and growth of Sino-Burma relations, we cannot match this in the near future but the foothold India seems to have secured in different areas in Burma should be of value.

The Chinese have not expressed any concern over India's increasing involvement in Burma so why should India be screaming about China 's involvement in Burma, he asked and suggested that both countries should learn to coexist by accommodating each other.

On India 's "Look East policy, Sreenivasan said, this has far reaching positive and negative implications for the region. Among the positive implications, there would be creation of population centres along the Asian Highway with benefits in terms of economy and employment, an interest in stability and meeting of India's energy requirements.

On the negative side, there would be the threat from HIV/AIDS and drug dependency, the likely loss of opportunities for the indigenous people as a consequence of exposure to globalization and the possibility of insurgencies becoming more violent.

On the prospects of democracy in Burma, Sreenivasan said, reform needs to come from the younger generation in the army, which may find it desirable to acquire international legitimacy by shaping a democratic structure that preserves the predominant position of the army. But reforms may lead to a revolution as well.

In that case India may well be able to play a role to bring stability and peace in Burma. It is for this eventuality we need to prepare at diplomatic, military and economic levels in cooperation with ASEAN countries, he argued.

However, Sreenivasan cautioned; "India should not force the pace of change in Burma nor should it increase its involvement beyond a point in Burma."

Although every one recognizes the importance of Burma in India, it remains the least popular neighbour among diplomats, scholars and journalists. There is virtually no expertise on Burma in any of these circles.

This has to change if we are to anticipate possible scenarios in Burma and prepare to meet each of them, if not to shape a scenario, which meets our interests and aspirations, Sreenivasan concluded.