Indian, junta officials meet with military-to-military cooperation on agenda

By Admin 17 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
17 July 2024, Sittwe

Indian ambassador to Myanmar Abhay Thakur met the junta’s chief of the general staff (army, navy and air force) General Maung Maung Aye on Tuesday to discuss closer cooperation on border security, military affairs and training.

According to junta media, the two discussed promotion of ties between the two armed forces, closer cooperation in the rule of law along the border, defence matters and the exchange of trainees.

Political analysts say democratic India should not provide military support for Myanmar’s military regime, which has been conducting deadly air raids on civilians on a near-daily basis.

“The two sides might have discussed border security and displaced people. The regime might have asked India to supply weapons. The world’s largest democracy should not cooperate with the regime,” said one politician from Arakan State.

Lieutenant-General Kan Myint Than from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Indian military attaché Colonel Jaswinder Singh Gill and military officers from Myanmar and India were also present for Tuesday’s meeting, according to junta media.

The Indian envoy Thakur met with the junta’s foreign minister Than Swe the same day in Naypyidaw.

Political analyst and veteran Arakanese politician U Pe Than said: “I think the discussion focused on border security. The Arakkha Army (AA) is not based on the Indian border, rather they are based inside Myanmar. So, there is little room for India to intervene.”

Along with Russia and China, India is one of the largest suppliers of weapons to the regime. It also provides military training for junta officials.

The human rights advocacy group Justice For Myanmar has urged India to stop supplying Myanmar’s military with fuel, equipment and technical assistance, and military training.