India urged to change policy on Burma

by Salai Pi Pi
Thursday, 12 November 2009 20:02

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The New York based Human Rights Watch has urged the Indian government to change its current policy towards Burma before its elections in 2010.

Brad Adams, Executive Director of HRW’s Asia Division said on Thursday that the world’s largest democracy, India should press Burma to release Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners to usher in genuine political reforms in the country, instead of strengthening its cozy ties with the regime.

“We think the Indian government should reverse it policy and stand for democracy and human rights in Burma,” said Brad Adams in a press conference held in the Women’s Press Club in New Delhi.

Adams said India’s role is important in pushing the Burmese military leaders to hold a genuine election next year while the international community, including Southeast Asian countries criticizes Burma for its human right records and slow pace in restoring democracy.

“India should not accept the forthcoming 2010 election in Burma if the regime does not release detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners,” he said, “No one will take the poll result seriously.”

After the Burmese regime rigged the referendum to approve the constitution in 2008, it announced holding elections next year, which Adam said, will entrench military rule in the country.

India had supported the Burmese pro-democracy movement in 1988 but it changed its policy to appeasing the Burmese regime after it adopted the ‘Look East’ policy in 1993.

Instead of pushing the Burmese regime to go for political reforms, India strengthened its bilateral relations on trade, military and economic sectors with Burma for over a decade to counter the influence of China on Burma.

“India made a big mistake by competing with China in the Burmese market, particularly for energy as it has hoped for a long time that it will be awarded with major oil and gas concession but for 15 years, China had increased its penetration into the Burmese market,” Adams said.

He added, “China got most of the major contracts but India got nothing. China had already won over the Burmese market and it will continue to win it.”

Adams said if India changes its position and becomes a human rights proponent, China will be isolated when it comes to the Burma issue.

After the China factor, India had increasingly sought the help of the Burmese regime to launch counter insurgency operations against India’s Northeast armed rebels, reportedly taking shelter in Sagaing Division, in the northwest region of Burma.

“In return India also helps Burma in flushing out Burmese armed groups based in India,” Adams said, “ but there is no cooperation from Burma so far.”