LOOK EAST: New Delhi sees new thrust in ties
and trade following Yangon's reforms
THE
post-World War 2 generation of Indians that watched David Lean's 1957 classic
The Bridge on the River Kwai and whistled or marched to the tune of
"Colonel Bogey", can now hope to motor down a road to Kwai and
beyond, into Southeast Asia.
Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and Myanmar President Thein Sein on May 29 set a
deadline, 2016, for trilateral road connectivity right up to Thailand from
India via Myanmar.
As
Myanmar is the only Asean country with which India shares a land boundary, this
highway will truly become the bridge between the two and place it at the heart
of India's Look East policy.
India
and Myanmar have actually reconnected after half a century, when relations were
impaired by Yangon's isolationist and oppressive military rulers. It is a
development of great significance, not just for the two.
The
response of the other neighbour underscores this. The Chinese Foreign Ministry
said Beijing was "happy" at the new thrust in India-Myanmar ties, and
hoped it would be "conducive to stability and prosperity of the whole
region".
China's
welcome came amidst feverish West-inspired speculation that Delhi is seeking to
push its way to Myanmar to counter Beijing. A Sino-Indian rivalry can have
myriad political, economic and strategic justifications. But neither is buying
it, at least not officially.
"There
is a temptation on the part of some to try and draw you into their politics. At
times, it is tempting for us, too, but we have stayed clear of that,"
Times of India quoted an unnamed Indian Foreign Office mandarin as saying.
China
is way ahead of India in Myanmar and should have no reason to worry. Many
Chinese analysts see India as a far lesser threat than the United States, which
is vigorously trying to re-engage Myanmar after more than two decades of
economic sanctions.
For a
long time, India was pilloried for refusing to toe this line. Manmohan's visit,
the first by an Indian premier after 25 years, reaffirms what was conveyed to
Myanmar's military junta and to the world during the 2006 presidential visit by
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Manmohan's
references to "path-breaking reform measures taken towards greater democratisation
and national reconciliation" carry an underlying message: India would do
business with whoever is in power in Myanmar to guard its own national
interests. And while supporting the democratic process, it is not trying to
dictate the pace of reforms.
Yet,
meeting Aung San Suu Kyi marked an essential course correction.
Manmohan
praised her "struggle and her determination that have inspired millions of
people all over the world. I have learnt a great deal about what empowerment
means after meeting her".
For Suu
Kyi, who will soon visit Delhi where she graduated from Lady Sri Ram College,
"India and Burma have been friends not only because of geographical
proximity but also because of shared values, heritage and the fight for
independence".
Manmohan
said his Myanmar visit was aimed at preparing a "roadmap for the
future" with a neighbour to whose prosperity India was
"committed".
He
announced a US$500 million (RM1.6 billion) line of credit. A dozen pacts and
memoranda were signed. A private oil exploration contract was signed and an
assurance came forth for more in future. The modest US$1.2 billion bilateral
trade is also to be doubled.
Having
been engaged, India enjoys some momentum. It hopes to join the gold rush caused
by Myanmar's transition to democracy. Flights to and from a dozen Indian
cities, greater sea connectivity and much else is in the offing.
But the
reason that compelled Delhi to deal with the generals persists. Myanmar has
asked the militants from the Indian northeast to close shop and has, indeed,
signed a pact with a Naga outfit.
With
cooperative governments in Bangladesh and Myanmar, India, talking to some
groups already, can hope to resolve this problem substantially, if not fully.
Manmohan
talked of intelligence-sharing on not just the militants but also on the drug
trail. The gateway to Asean must be made smooth and safe for mutual benefit.
Parallels
have been drawn with what India embarked on in Afghanistan, post-Taliban,
contributing a billion dollars’ worth of assistance to Afghan nation-building.
It seems to have embarked on taking a similar opportunity in Myanmar. Both are
long hauls -- but they are worth it.
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