India seeks security protections for its projects in Myanmar

By Admin 27 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
27 June 2024, Sittwe

India has sought “credible security protection for India-funded ongoing projects in Myanmar,” said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

S Jaishanka made the remarks during a meeting with Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Shwe as the latter transited New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, one of India’s most ambitious projects in Myanmar, is stalled by fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and resistance forces including the Arakkha Army (AA). Paletwa, Kyauktaw, and Ponnagyun townships along the project route are controlled by the AA, and Sittwe has been blockaded by the junta.

“India is a neighbouring country that is comfortable with the Myanmar military regime, so India has asked for the project to be redeveloped,” a local resident in Arakan State who monitors foreign projects, told DMG. “Now the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is also stopped, which is a loss for India. I am of the view that India is still relying on the regime when it is not easy to talk officially with AA. However, since the regime is in a state of war throughout the country, I see that it is not easy to fully comply with India’s demands.”

The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which is of strategic importance to India, was started in 2010 and was initially intended to be completed in 2014, but it has been delayed for more than ten years due to issues in Paletwa, Chin State, and instability in Arakan State.

“Particularly flagged illegal narcotics, arms smuggling and trafficking in persons as priority challenges. Sought cooperation for early return of Indian nationals trapped in Myawaddy,” Jaishankar said, adding that India is open to engaging all stakeholders in addressing the situation.

“In the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, India is fully on the side of the military regime,” said a business analyst. “If the military regime loses the current conflict and cedes territory, the Indian projects will be controlled by revolutionary groups. If that happens, I think that India is fully supporting the military regime because it does not want to negotiate with the revolutionary groups.”

Justice For Myanmar issued a statement on May 16 that the Myanmar regime has established good relations with India and receives military weapons, accessories, technology and fuel from India.