Page 14 - The Indian EYE 030824

MARCH 08, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

is a new threat to Junta. These groups
unite to fight against the military by
keeping all their differences aside for
a common goal towards democracy.
Since Operation 1027, it is reported
that more than 5,500 military troops
have been either seized or murdered,
along with 10 Brigadier generals. A
total number of not less than 30,000
troops lost their lives since then.
The Acting President of the Na-
tional Unity Government (NUG),
Duwa Lashi La, in a press release
on 1 February 2024, stated that the
people of Myanmar “shattered a de-
cades-old myth that the Myanmar
people can never topple the military”.
He appreciated the people of Myan-
mar for fighting against the junta
with resilience, renewed resistance,
sacrifice, unity, and momentum. He
affirmed that the Spring Revolution
(which began in Feb 2021) would be-
come more assertive in the days to
come with the support of like-mind-
ed friends such as Australia, Canada,
the European Union, New Zealand,
Norway, the Republic of Korea, Swit- India, which shares a 1643km long porous border with Myanmar, has been impacted brutally since Feb 2021 due to the influx of
zerland, the United Kingdom and the
United States. Duwa Lashi La urged Myanmar refugees from across the border (File photo)
the world community to support the
people of Myanmar to: ship with rebel groups such as the ducted naval drills in the Andaman Though India has called for the res-
“Formally recognize the Nation- United Wa State Army (UWSA) by Sea. Besides, Russia and Myanmar toration of democracy, it plays a bal-
al Unity Government and its Ethnic supplying with “man-portable air-de- signed several agreements, including anced approach, given the trans-bor-
partners. Increase direct financial, fense systems, howitzers, a wide the MoU for nuclear construction, in der issues pertinent to immigration,
technical, material, and humanitarian range of mortars, rocket launchers, October 2023 to address Myanmar’s insurgency, and drug trafficking, to
assistance. Block the Junta’s access to machine-guns and assault rifles and fuel and electricity crisis. Myanmar safeguard its security interests. India
arms, weapons, cash, and jet fuel. Re- armored personnel carriers” (Lint- gains protection from the United Na- provided fuel and weapons to the
ject any junta to launch a negotiated ner, 2019) in fighting against the jun- tions being with Russia while reduc- Junta. It is reported that Indian enti-
settlement as a lifetime.” ta. Reflecting on China’s policy in ing its dependency on China. Russia, ties have delivered $51 million worth
Amidst the complexity, an- Myanmar, Lintner opines that “Chi- in return, finds a new gateway’ for of military-related exports to Myan-
other irrefutable facet of the con- na is not interested in peace the way itself, connecting the Western Indi- mar since Feb coup.
flict is the great powers’ interest in people in Myanmar see it, that is, a an Ocean with the Eastern Indian
Myanmar, given its vital geo-stra- political solution to decades of eth- Ocean and further linking with South ASSESSMENT
tegic and geo-political significance. nic wars. China doesn’t want either; and Southeast Asia. The February coup is disparate
Myanmar, thus, has become a bat- it wants stability, which, for the time Unlike China and Russia, the from those earlier ones. Firstly, most
tleground between those who want being, means a status it can use to U.S./West supports the NUG instead of the Barman ethnic group allied
to restore democracy and those who achieve its geostrategic goals” (Zaw, of the Junta. Just after the coup, they with other rebel groups in the pro-de-
support the military junta. A case 2019). For instance, China delegated imposed sanctions on selected Myan- mocracy movement against the mili-
in point is the U.S./West’s sanc- its new special envoy for Myanmar mar military personnel or enterpris- tary. It has shifted a new paradigm in
tions on the Junta against China to meet with the seven most potent es. They even used platforms like the the civil war of Myanmar. Secondly,
and Russia’s support of the coup. ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) ASEAN with like-minded nations like Myanmar becomes a battlefield for
in December 2022. Instead of any Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to great power competition as China
CHINA VERSUS THE WEST decisive political solution, Beijing restore democracy. They supported and Russia are supporting the coup
In Myanmar, China’s interests lie urged EAOs to maintain a distance NUG, the National Unity Consul- against the U.S./West. Great powers
in its economic and strategic signifi- from the West-backed NUG. Chi- tative Council, and other groups in are getting involved to showcase their
cance by accessing the Indian Ocean nese diplomats often attempted to be reestablishing peace. However, ASE- power, influence, and values, similar
directly. Another is procuring ener- peace brokers between the junta and AN ‘s ‘five-point consensuses’ could to those proxy wars fought during the
gy by developing an energy corridor the members of the Federal Political not be implemented, and the whole Cold War, but in their national in-
through Kyaukpyu deep seaport and Negotiation and Consultative Com- effort did not bear fruitful results. On terest. Thirdly, Naypyidaw is playing
overcoming the Malacca dilemma. mittee (FPNCC). Still, it could not the contrary, countries like Indonesia many cards and hedging with as many
The third is to exert more influence achieve any positive results. and Thailand began to engage bilat- great powers as possible to maximize
in Naypyidaw by diluting the West’s Russia, which has been a friend erally with Myanmar. its power and achieve goals.
influence. Hence, China’s unstoppa- of Myanmar for years, supports the India, which shares a 1643km
ble support of the Junta benefits its military regime by supplying weap- long porous border with Myanmar, This article first appeared in the Web
short- and long-term interests. ons such as aircraft. It is a way to has been impacted brutally since Articles section of the website (www.
However, the Dragon plays a contest its supremacy with the West. Feb 2021 due to the influx of Myan- claws.in) of Centre for Land Warfare
double role by balancing its relation- Myanmar and Russia recently con- mar refugees from across the border. Studies, New Delhi

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