Military Coup In Myanmar: Why Is India Silent?

Hello defence lovers! In this article, we are going to discuss a very serious and sensitive issue that is the issue of the Military coup in Myanmar. So far there is no official reaction or criticism on the military coupe in Myanmar by the government of India. However recently Indian Army chief General Naravne has said Myanmar military helped curb insurgency in northeast India. This statement, however, reflects the Indian government’s attitude towards the issue which we will try to understand in this article.

The Coup So Far

• The coup began on the morning of 1st February 2021 when the democratically elected members of Myanmar’s ruling party, the National League for Democracy, were deposed by the Myanmar Military called the “Tatmadaw”, which vested power in a stratocracy.
• The Tatmadaw proclaimed one year of the state of emergency and declared power had been vested in Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Min Aung Hlaing.
• Tatmadaw also declared the results of the November 2020 general election invalid and stated it will hold a new election at the end of the state of emergency. 
• The coup occurred on the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was due to swear in the members elected at the 2020 election, thereby preventing this from occurring.
• The democratically elected President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained, along with ministers and their deputies and members of Parliament.
• On 3rd February 2021, Win Myint, the democratically elected president, was charged for breaching campaign guidelines and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions under section 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law.
• The Tatmadaw alleges the democratical government was involved in unfair practices and won the election unethically, thus justifying its action.
• However, the nationwide protest against the Tatmadaw by the common people of Myanmar doest support Tatmadaw’s claim.

International Reaction

The United States under Joe Biden has immediately imposed tons of sanctions on Myanmar already. Even more sanctions are expected to follow. Joe Biden and PM Narendra Modi has also discussed the issue over telephone.

However, from Russia and China, the Tatmadaw has not received any criticism or condemnation. Moreover, China is allegedly behind all this mess. Allegedly, the coup was backed by China, as it is very well known such as the coup will invite lots of sanctions.

The communist party of China and the Chinese Govt. both are soulless and ethic less agencies. Half a century ago they deceived their own people for their hunger for power. They rule by fear and thus could adopt any means to get their mission accomplished. This country has become a threat to global peace and security. It seems that Beijing’s only aim is to disrupt its neighbors and peace around it.

However, being the world’s largest democracy, India is under the pressure from the world to condemn the military coup in Myanmar. People of Myanmar are also having lots of expectations from India, that it will do something to restore the democracy. But things are quite complicated for India. Let us understand why.

Why India Is Still Silent?

“In geopolitics, there are neither permanent friends nor foes, there are only permanent Interests”

So far India is silent over the military coup in Myanmar. Some Indirect signals have been given by General Naravne that India is going to just wait and watch.

But first, let us understand why this issue is so complicated and sensitive. It is quite clear that the actions of the Myanmar military are greatly influenced by China. Thus India has to ensure that Myanmar does not become another Pakistan.

If we look at the history of Myanmar, this is not the first time Myanmar has witnessed a military coup. Just like the Land of Terrorist, military coups are common in the history of Myanmar. Myanmar’s military has a fixed amount of seats in the parliament and behind the scenes, it has its influence on almost everything.

This is an age-old problem. Whenever the people of Myanmar have tried to reduce the military’s influence, the military has overthrown the government. Thus establishing a truly democratic government is only possible by civil war. and moreover, we Indians do not have a foreign policy to interfere in a country’s internal affairs.

Myanmar is the hub of India’s look east policy. Myanmar shares a border with many northeastern states. Thus good relation with Myanmar’s military is also crucial for India. That is why India gifted INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar Navy in December last year.

Indian army shares a friendly relation with the Myanmar Army. The Myanmar Army has genuinely worked hard to wipe out anti-India insurgent groups on its soil. We just can’t afford to turn a friend into a foe and create just another Pakistan on the Eastern Border.

Thus India is still silent over this issue. But still it is very unfortunate that the world’s largest Democracy cannot support another democracy which is being suffocated by Military Dictatorship.

For the Indian government and Indian Army, the people of India come first. Our protection and well being is their top priority. Thus whatever is being done by the government and the Army, it is in broader national Interest.

JAI HIND