News Highlights
Myanmar foreign minister may not be part of India – ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet as India did not invite Myanmar.
Reason for not inviting Myanmar
- The decision marks a departure from India’s attendance at the regional BIMSTEC meeting in Colombo in March, where Myanmar’s junta appointed Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin was invited as a virtual participant, which came in for protest by the United States.
Effect of Move
- Risk a boycott of the India – ASEAN event in Delhi by Myanmar
Significance of Move
- India has decided to follow the consensus of ASEAN countries instead, to invite only a “non political”, “non military” representative to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and U.S.ASEAN meetings.
India’s Next Iconic Move to Engage ASEAN Countries
- India and ASEAN Finance Ministers that include Myanmar going to participate in the 12th “Delhi Dialogue” or India ASEAN Finance Minister meeting.
ASEAN Stand on Myanmar
- The ASEAN five point consensus on Myanmar, which was adopted in 2021, calls for an immediate end to violence in the country, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance by ASEAN, and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties
India’s Common Stand on Myanmar
- India has thus far chosen to take an independent line on Myanmar, including at the UN Security Council, after Western countries imposed sanctions on the Myanmar military government that deposed the elected National Unity Government (NUG) led by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy.
- India has stressed the need for a restoration of democratic processes, and release of all political leaders and abiding by the ASEAN’s five point consensus.
Duel Stand of India on Myanmar
- Stand with Myanmar
- India had decided not to boycott the Myanmar government and engaged Myanmar in the BIMSTEC meet that was held in March.
- India and ASEAN with Myanmar
- India ASEAN meeting, New Delhi has decided to go with the practice adopted by ASEAN at its summit in Brunei in 2021
Content Source : The Hindu