India wants democracy back in Myanmar

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 23

India has signalled its interest to all parties in Myanmar for a return to democracy even as Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, during a rare two-day visit to Naypyidaw, assured Indian help for development and humanitarian projects.

Though rest of the world has shunned the ruling junta in Myanmar after it deposed Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1, Shringla not only met with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and other senior officials of the ruling State Administrative Council, but also members of civil society and political parties, including Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy.

During his meetings with all concerned, the Foreign Secretary emphasised India’s interest in seeing Myanmar’s return to democracy at the earliest, release of detainees and prisoners and complete cessation of all violence.

The Foreign Secretary was also forthright in raising security-related matters, especially the recent incident in Manipur in which the Commanding Officer of the Assam Rifles battalion was killed in an ambush. Both sides reiterated their commitment to ensure their territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other, said the MEA news release.

Security concerns

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has raised matters relating to India’s security in the border areas with Myanmar’s State Administration Council.