Myanmar: India walks tightrope

For the armed forces, it’s almost like a repeat of the Nepal situation. ‘‘The Indian Army wanted the assistance being given to Royal Nepalese Army to fight the Maoists to continue despite the growing pro-democracy movement in the Himalayan kingdom,’’ said a senior officer. After first muddling through the situation, India finally pushed for democratic reform in Nepal, which as things shaped out did not hamper the ties between Indian and Nepalese armies.

But Myanmar is a different kettle of fish, with China wielding much more influence with the junta. There are fears that if India overplays its hand, it might drive the military junta even closer to China. But with US and EU imposing sanctions on Myanmar, due to the suppression of pro-democracy protests, there is growing international pressure on India to do something.

Asked about the turmoil in Myanmar, Army chief General Deepak Kapoor only said, ‘‘It’s their internal matter. We have good relations with Myanmar...we are for maintaining the close relationship.’’ Added a senior Navy officer, ‘‘We are for constructive engagement with all neighbours, including Myanmar.’’

But underneath, India is getting worried. New Delhi has already conveyed its concern to Yangon. Over the last few years, India has shrugged aside western concerns about supplying military equipment to Myanmar. Apart from four Islander maritime patrol aircraft, India has been supplying it with 105mm light artillery guns, naval gun-boats, mortars, grenade-launchers, rifles and other small arms.

This realpolitik U-turn by India came after several years of supporting the democratic movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi, during which New Delhi found that Beijing had forged deep links with Yangon. Since then, India has got some support from the military junta to flush out insurgent groups operating from its soil.