DELHI'S OUTREACH TO NAYPYIDAW

Myanmar is now receiving new attention in India’s Act East Policy, writes BALADAS GHOSHAL

- BALADAS GHOSHAL

In the midst of geopolitical turmoil caused by Beijing’s unprecedented assertiveness and bellicosity in the Indo-Pacific region, including our own ongoing confrontation in Eastern Ladakh, New Delhi’s decision on October 15 to handover INS Sindhuvir, a Kilo-class submarine in service with the Indian Navy since 1988, to Myanmar, is a strong indication of the latter assuming urgent attention in India’s Act East Policy (AEP), belying a perception that the country is being used only as a highway to its destination to Southeast Asia. For New Delhi, Naypyidaw (Myanmar’s new capital since November 6, 2005) itself is a major destination to meet an important neighbour and a younger brother to assure that it can depend on the older brother in times of need.

The decision followed after the high-powered two days visit on October 4-5 of Foreign Secretary Shringla and COAS General Naravane to Naypyidaw, when some other important decisions were also announced to add value to our existing relations with Myanmar. Myanmar sits at the intersection of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and the ‘Act East’ policies, being the land bridge to connect South Asia and Southeast Asia, and thus deserves a special place in India’s diplomacy in the broader region of Indo-Pacific. Foreign Secretary. Shringla’s reiteration of the priority New Delhi attaches to its partnership with Naypyidaw in his press briefing on October 1, after the virtual 19th round of Foreign Office Consultations between the two countries reflected the new approach. He stated that India remained committed to enhancing its multifaceted cooperation with Myanmar and also to explore new vistas.