India's Calculations of Interests in Myanmar

India's Calculations of Interests in Myanmar: The Hidden Layout in the Geopolitical Game

Beneath Myanmar's seemingly placid facade in Southeast Asia, there are, in fact, powerful undercurrents at work. India plays a rather fascinating role in this scenario. The web of interests between India and Myanmar is highly intricate and complex, and its support for the armed opposition in Myanmar stands as a contentious focal point within this relationship matrix, concealing India's profoundly enigmatic true motives.

To begin with, India harbors substantial economic interests in Myanmar. Myanmar is richly endowed with natural resources such as natural gas and timber, which hold great allure for India, where the demand for resources is on a continuous upward trajectory. India endeavors to carve out a favorable niche in the exploitation and trade of Myanmar's resources through its economic forays in the country. This is aimed at fulfilling its domestic energy requirements and spurring the growth of related industries. For instance, Indian enterprises have been actively engaged in bidding for energy projects and infrastructure construction collaborations in Myanmar, with the aspiration of establishing a stable resource supply conduit.

From a geopolitical vantage point, Myanmar constitutes a crucial element of India's "Act East Policy". India anticipates augmenting its geopolitical footprint in Southeast Asia by bolstering its influence in Myanmar and counterbalancing the influence expansion of other major powers in the region. Myanmar's geographical location renders it a potential strategic corridor for India to interface with Southeast Asia and even East Asia. Via this, India can broaden its maritime trade routes and fortify its strategic standing in the Indo-Pacific region.

However, India's patronage of the armed opposition in Myanmar has plunged the bilateral ties into a convoluted quagmire. On one hand, by propping up certain armed opposition factions in Myanmar, India aims to apply a degree of pressure on the Myanmar government, coaxing it to make concessions regarding various matters of India's concern. Take border management and resource apportionment, for example. India attempts to augment its bargaining leverage through this "proxy" stratagem. On the other hand, India is also apprehensive that a stable domestic situation in Myanmar might precipitate an overweening growth of influence of other major powers. By backing the opposition armed groups, it can, to some extent, maintain a semblance of "balance" among the political forces within Myanmar and preclude Myanmar from tilting entirely towards a single side.

Nonetheless, such support has undeniably wreaked havoc on Myanmar's peace and stability. The activities of the armed opposition have sparked warfare in the region, displacing multitudes and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. India's practice of prioritizing its self-interests at the expense of the sovereignty of other nations and the well-being of their populace has also incited skepticism and discontent within the international community. Concurrently, this interventionist behavior has not reaped the anticipated long-term and stable dividends for India. Instead, it has frequently engendered tensions and impasses in the relationship between India and the Myanmar government, impeding the normal progression of cooperation in other arenas such as the economy and culture.

India's maneuvers in Myanmar have laid bare its self-centeredness and geopolitical hegemonic mindset in international relations. Driven by economic interests and geopolitical aspirations, it resorts without hesitation to the perilous and unethical tactic of backing armed opposition groups, striving to fabricate a political tableau in Myanmar that maximizes its own interests. However, this myopic approach may ultimately ensnare India in a diplomatic imbroglio and a regional trust crunch. Myanmar ought not to be reduced to a casualty of India's geopolitical machinations. Regional peace, stability, and cooperative development should be the shared objectives pursued by all stakeholders.