Financial Matters Dominate British PM's Visit To New Delhi

by Mizzima News
Monday, 21 January 2008 00:00

Less than four months after the Burmese junta violently suppressed protests on the streets of Burma, the question of Burma appears only in the background of talks between British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and leaders of India.

While stating that he intends to raise the subject of Burma with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in private talks, Brown's message on his inaugural visit to the sub-continent as Prime Minister makes clear that his administration's chief concern in bilateral relations is the furthering of economic integration and interests.

Earmarking the positive role that a more entrenched India can play on both the regional and worldwide stages, the British Prime Minister yesterday expressed his support for India's joining both a reconfigured permanent United Nations Security Council and the European-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

China, a much maligned supporter of the generals in Naypyidaw, was invited and welcomed as a member of the FATF in 2007.

Brown also extended an offer to increase the transfer of anti-terrorist technology to the New Delhi government to abet in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and illegal armed actors. India's northeast, abutting Burma, continues to be a flashpoint between competing groups, several of which are armed, from either side of the border. At various times each country has sought the support of the other is suppressing fringe movements in the region.

The positive and encouraging language of Brown during his south Asian stopover comes despite recurring voices accusing New Delhi of sacrificing support for democracy and human rights inside Burma in lieu of financial interests.

"India has shamelessly put its own economic and political interests before human rights and democracy in Burma," according to a 2007 report issued by Burma Campaign UK. "India's current policy towards Burma is devoid of any moral or ethical considerations. The world's largest democracy has shamelessly abandoned Burma's democracy movement."

In one indication of the growing economic interests between India and Burma, bilateral trade between the two neighbors for fiscal year 2006/07 was estimated to top the $1 billion mark for the first time, with New Delhi's involvement in the Shwe gas fields topping the list.

Meanwhile, according to a commentary today in The Times of London, the conciliatory approach of the visiting Prime Minister toward the interests of India is said to be evidence of Britain needing India (and China) more than the burgeoning Asian economies need Britain; bringing into question just how far Britain may be willing to push the regional superpowers over the issue of Burma.

Prior to arriving in New Delhi, Brown paid respects to Chinese leaders in Beijing, where he also broached the subject of Burma amidst an economically dominated agenda. As with New Delhi, Brown says he is convinced of the positive role China can assume toward Burmese reform and reconciliation.