Guest Comments by the Burma Partnership Secretariat

NEW DELHI, India -- Recently, Burma's ruling senior general Than Shwe indulged in a five-day tour of India. It included a visit to the mausoleum of India's treasured non-violence advocate Mahatma Gandhi, ceremonial receptions hosted by high-level officials, delegation-level talks and treaty signings.

No doubt, the Burmese delegation left satisfied from the giant neighboring country. India had pledged more than US$190 million in aid and loans in return for Burma's commitment to address India's “insurgency” issue and increased diplomatic relations. India covets Burma's energy resources.

Despite India's success as “the world's largest democracy”, its president, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, and its prime minister, Manmohan Singh, eagerly welcomed Burma's widely condemned dictator. They promised money that will help to perpetuate military control in Burma and failed to address the undemocratic nature of Burma's approaching elections.

At one time, India dealt with Burma on principles of morality. But as energy and financial interests became India's priorities in the 1990s, it changed tactics to engage with Burma's junta.

Another factor is China's intimate economic ties with Burma. India's energy interests suffered when Burma named China as the sole recipient of the infamous Shwe gas pipeline, despite India's initial US$1.3-billion investment.

India sought the junta's help to address the “pernicious problem of terrorism” with a new counter-terror pact, arguing "there are insurgencies on both sides (of the border) and both countries need each other". In the name of "peace and stability in the region" and "the well-being of the people of their respective countries", India looks willing to support the military regime in combating Indian rebel groups, while overlooking the junta's contemptible role in threatening regional stability through heavy-handed repression of its own people.

Indian politician Jaya Jaitley summed up the Indian government's hypocritical self-interest, criticizing it for hosting Than Shwe to suppress Indian separatists, who arguably are "less criminal" than the notorious general.

If genuinely concerned for regional stability, India should have discussed recent reports about Burma's nuclear-weapons program and its close ties to North Korea. Another threat to regional stability comes from Burmese military attacks on ethnic nationalities.