Soe Myint
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

New Delhi, June 10, 2003:

In 1988, India was one of the first of Burma's neighbors to condemn
the
military repression against the pro-democracy activists during the
nation-wide uprising. The Indian Embassy in Rangoon actively encouraged
Burmese student activists to cross the border into India, promising
shelter
and support. From 1988 to 1990, India followed a policy committed to
open
support of the forces of democracy and "complete disengagement" with
the
ruling military junta in Burma. The then External Affairs Minister
(later
Prime Minister) Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao informed a parliamentary panel
in
1989 that "strict instructions" had been given not to turn back any
genuine
Burmese refugees seeking shelter in India.

Strangely enough, it was during the Prime Ministership of Mr. Narasimha
Rao
in 1992-93 that India decided to engage with the Burmese generals for
the
stated reasons of "national interests".

Two major factors prompted the Indian policy-makers to review Burma
policy;
insurgency problems on the border with Burma and the increasing Chinese
influence in Burma.

However, these so-called "national interests" are the excuses any
government
uses to implement its policy, drawn up by a select few foreign policy
makers
(ex-foreign secretaries and pro-trade and pro-engagement individuals).
They
used the word "pragmatism" to completely change India's policy towards
democratic aspirations by the people of Burma.

I disagree with Mr. J.N Dixit, the pioneer of India's present
engagement
policy with the regime implemented following his March 1993 visit to
Rangoon, when he said in a recent interview that "we should be
passionate
with our own democracy. We should not take the mission to other
countries'
democracy".

Non-existence of democracy next door is a threat to India's own
democracy.
If India does not support the democracy movement in other countries,
the
people of India will find themselves alone when their democracy is
being
threatened. This fear is particularly heightened now that the strength
of
the democratic system is being attacked under the guise of a "war
against
terrorism".

It is interesting to observe that India has been trying to please the
Burmese generals for over eight years, but the results thus far have
been
negligible. China continues to heavily invest in Burma (Myanmar) with
large
amounts of official and unofficial financial and military assistance.
India's achievements after all these years of sweet-talking the
generals
amounts to the sale of a few mountain guns which Burma bought not
because it
desperately needs India's guns but so that it can tell the world that
the
world's largest democracy is supporting them. The generals are selling
the
name of India in public and private forums; they claim to have the
support
of their one billion Indian next-door neighbours.

Kyaw Win, Burma's ambassador to Britain, told the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) last Thursday: "We have the two largest countries of
the
world on either side who are happily trading and exchanging all kinds
of
technical, transportation, security measures [with Burma] and we are
living
in harmony with all of them".

The Northeast insurgency factor, the Indian military's greatest concern
after Kashmir, deserves further scrutiny. After concerted diplomacy
efforts,
the generals have made public announcements that they would not allow
the
Indian insurgents to use Burma's soil for anti-India activities. If
this is
true, what are Indian insurgents (like NSCN-Khaplang and PLA
insurgents)
using Burmese soil for?

It is a known fact that the NSCN-Khaplang and PLA insurgents have bases
and
training camps in Burma's bordering areas with India. The local Burmese
commanders are often seen meeting with Indian insurgents. Burmese
leadership
is definitely aware of the exact location of Indian insurgents' camps
located inside Burmese territory.

Moreover, India has a huge deficit in trading with Burma.

So the question without answers remains; why is India so soft with the
generals in Burma?

It is encouraging to see that the people of India, particularly the
political parties, continue to be supportive toward the democracy
movement
in Burma. While the Government of India fails to urge the Burmese
generals
to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (whom it has awarded its most
prestigious
honour; the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in
1995),
the political parties, including those in the government and in the
opposition, have condemned the latest crack down by the Burmese
military
junta on the pro-democracy activists and the National League for
Democracy.

Almost all major parties have called for the immediate release of Daw
Aung
San Suu Kyi and other detained political leaders of the National League
for
Democracy that won in the 1990 general elections with a landslide
victory.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is yet to issue its statement. This
from
the Samata Party statement: "While the world was hoping for the early
restoration of democratic rule in Myanmar, the military junta has
struck
another blow against the democratic rights and civil liberties of the
Burmese people. The Samata Party demands the immediate release of Aung
San
Suu Kyi and others who are languishing in jails for their commitment to
the
restoration of democracy. The Party urges the Government of India to
use its
influence to persuade the Myanmarese military junta to end military
rule and
hand over power to the people of Myanmar". The Samata Party, led by
India's
defence minister Mr. George Fernandes, is vocal in its support for
democracy
in Burma.

The main opposition party, the Congress Party, has a similar position.
"The
Congress Party is concerned about the whereabouts of Aung San Suu Kyi
in
Myanmar. Day before yesterday she was injured while campaigning for the
restoration of democracy. She is not only a fighter for democracy but
also a
recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award. The Indian National Congress
is
concerned about her whereabouts. We urge the authorities in Myanmar to
ensure that no harm is done to her person," said the Congress
spokesperson
Mr. Anand Sharma.

The other major parties such as the Communist Party of India (Marxist),
Communist Party of India, the Samajwadi Party and several prominent
Indians
including Mr. Kuldip Nayar (Member of Parliament) and Ms. Nirmala
Deshpande
have also called for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

So, why has the Indian government separated itself from the opinions of
Indian political leaders and civil society on its Burma policy? The
Indian
policy makers, particularly those who are sitting in the South Block,
definitely need to review their policy towards Burma and its democracy
movement.

It is not enough that Indian government reacted on the detention of Daw
Aung
San Suu Kyi with a simple official statement; "We have been watching
very
closely with concern on the recent developments in Myanmar". India
needs to
do more for the people of Burma who have shared decades of friendship
and
closeness with the people of India.

India, having a tradition of supporting democracy movements in other
parts
of the world, should play a more pro-active role in the democratization
process in Burma. The least India could do is to use its influence with
the
Burmese generals to immediately free the Nobel Laureate and the
recipient of
the Jawaharlal Nehru Award, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

It is worth reflecting on the words in the Citation of the Jawaharlal
Nehru
Award presented to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It reads as follows:

"Amid the turbulence of an era in transition, Aung San Suu Kyi adhered
strictly to a peaceful struggle in her espousal of democracy in her
country
Myanmar. Her belief in Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy has sanctified the
campaign for democracy in her own country. By conferring the Jawaharlal
Nehru Award on Aung San Suu Kyi, India pays tribute to a courageous
torchbearer of this tradition of peace and non-violence; and to a
luminous
example of the indomitable human spirit that can change the course of
history".

It is not merely enough that India simply awarded her. India must also
support her in her struggle for democracy, peace and freedom
particularly at
this time when she is once again being illegally detained in a secret
location, after being violently attacked by the military regime's thugs
during her organizational tour in Upper Burma.

The United Nations Special Envoy Mr. Razali Ismail has publicly said
that he
could do little without the support of regional powers including India
and
China. He has specifically requested that India be more supportive
towards
his efforts in bringing national reconciliation and the restoration of
democracy in Burma. India should carefully heed the request of the UN
Special Envoy.

(Mr. Soe Myint is Editor In-Chief of Mizzima News, an Internet News
Service
on Burma and related issues, based in New Delhi)