Myanmar

Govt embraces Myanmar junta in `national interest'

From Indian Express newspaper

SONIA TRIKHA (SHUKLA)


NOV 17, 2000: India today rolled out the red carpet for General Maung Aye, the second most powerful man in Myanmar's military regime, dismissing criticism from some quarters by citing ``national interests''. As if in response, Yangon told New Delhi it has stepped up operations against Naga insurgents and destroyed five of their camps in Myanmar.

Reflecting a new bonhomie in relations, Maung Aye, Vice Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, was received warmly by Vice President Krishan Kant and Home Minister L.K.Advani at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Also present were Kant's wife, Suman, Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja and Lt Governor of Delhi Vijai Kapoor.

``Five camps belonging to the Khaplang faction of the Naga insurgents were destroyed by the Myanmar army this year despite the army suffering casualties,'' said Advani after the ceremonial reception. ``There are some more camps and they will pursue them,'' he added.

The talks are taking place amidst protests by pro-democracy activists against having any dealings with the junta which, they say, is desperately seeking legitimacy. Asked how the Indian Government, with its stout advocacy of democracy, was engaging with the military regime, Advani said: ``We weighed all the pros and cons, but in international relations, we have to take into account our national interests.''

Later in the day, Advani called on Maung Aye at Maurya Sheraton where he is staying. The Myanmarese leader also received former Army chief V.P.Malik at the hotel.

Despite the apparent thrust on cooperation to combat insurgency in the North-East, the Indian Government is selling the Myanmar delegation's visit as an economic effort. In India since November 14, Maung Aye has already travelled to Bodh Gaya and visited the Infosys complex in Bangalore.

India is Myanmar's largest export market which accounts for 25 per cent of its total exports. Myanmar with its newly-acquired status of an ASEAN member has also been pitched as India's gateway to the South Asian economic bloc. The delegation's meeting at the CII went some way in reinforcing that view.

A strong and mostly silent Maung Aye did not take any questions. In his brief speech, he said he had ``come to promote good relations between the two countries'' and for ``opportunities to invite investment''.

His foreign minister, Win Aung, answered most of the questions. On being asked what China's sustained efforts for forging closer links with Yangon in recent months meant for ties with India, he said ``we want to be friends with everybody''. On the issue of restoring democracy to Myanmar, the foreign minister said: ``We have a plan but first we must solve our fundamental problems, and we must have development first.'' He refused to explain how restoring democracy would preclude development. His response: ``Development must come first.''

Earlier, Vice-Chairman Maung Aye said ``the two countries have traditionally had good relations and this visit would further strengthen them.'' He too did not mention China.

In the evening, the Vice-President hosted a banquet in honour of the visiting delegation. Invoking historical links between the border nations, Kant stressed the need for cooperation to combat ``international terrorism with its close links to drug trafficking, religious extremism and fundamentalism and trade in illicit arms''.

Maung Aye, on a week-long visit to India, will call on President K. R. Narayanan and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and have meetings with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and other leaders.