INDIA was one of eight nations to attend an annual military parade in Myanmar’s capital Naypitaw on March 27, nearly two months after the military staged a coup to depose the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and They launched a deadly crackdown on protesters demanding the return of democratic government.
Russia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand also sent representatives to Myanmar to be part of the parade to mark Tatmadaw Day on Saturday, media reports said.
A senior South Block official said The Indian Express that “since diplomatic relations between the two countries continue, diplomatic commitments also continue.”
The Myanmar military’s crackdown, which included shooting at protesters and the use of tear gas, is estimated to have caused nearly 500 deaths and led to condemnation from around the world. It has also caused an influx of refugees to neighboring Mizoram, mostly by police officers who have fled repression.
The annual parade took place a day after the military leaders of nearly a dozen nations condemned the excessive use of force by the Myanmar military against protesters. In a statement released Friday, Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined his colleagues in condemning the use of deadly force against the protesters.
The statement said that Milley joined “the defense chiefs of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom in calling on the armed forces together in Burma – also called Myanmar – to follow international standards of military professionalism ”.
He said that, as “Chiefs of Defense, we condemn the use of lethal force against unarmed persons by the Myanmar Armed Forces and associated security services,” and that “a professional army follows international standards of conduct and is responsible for protect, not harm, “the people it serves.”
He urged the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s armed forces, “to cease the violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar who have lost through their actions,” and said the statement “follows the concerns expressed by other countries. region of”. … “
Since its initial statement shortly after the coup, India has been silent on the issue. On February 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “We have watched the events in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always strongly supported the democratic transition process in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be defended. We are monitoring the situation closely. “
Since then, even when the Mizoram government had issued a directive to help refugees fleeing Myanmar, the Union government has informed border states and Assam rifles to block the entry of Myanmar citizens and deport them. those who had entered.
India has traditionally enjoyed a close relationship with the ruling regimes in Myanmar, especially the military. In October 2020, the Chief of the Army, General MM Naravane, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Harsh Shringla, visited the country to strengthen bilateral relations. They had met the country’s then State Councilor, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the military leadership.
India had also delivered a submarine to Myanmar, which was officially installed in December.
Speaking at a seminar in February, the Chief of the Army had spoken about the proximity of the armies of the two countries. He had stated that “while the relentless operations of the security forces and proactive government policies have laid the foundation, the favorable external environment with Myanmar and Bangladesh has hit the roots of insurgent organizations.”
Naravane had also said that a “series of operations under Operation Sunrise with the Myanmar military has witnessed increasing cooperation and synergy among soldiers on the ground with reasonable operational dividends.”
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