FS Shringla stresses on India’s interest in seeing Myanmar return to democracy, release of detainees

New Delhi, Dec 23: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who is on a working visit to Myanmar, called on junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing and other senior representatives and held meetings with members of civil society and political parties, including the National League for Democracy, the party of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
During his meetings, Foreign Secretary Shringla emphasized India’s interest in seeing Myanmar’s return to democracy at the earliest; the release of detainees and prisoners; resolution of issues through dialogue; and complete cessation of all violence.
He reaffirmed India’s strong and consistent support to the ASEAN initiative and expressed hope that progress would be made in a pragmatic and constructive manner, based on the five point consensus, an official statement said.
He is scheduled to meet Myanmar-based Ambassadors, and representatives of the UN.
Emphasizing that India shares a long border with Myanmar, Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s continued humanitarian support for the people of Myanmar.
In the context of Myanmar’s fight against Covid, he handed over one million doses of ‘Made in India’ vaccines to the Myanmar Red Cross Society. A part of this consignment would be utilized for communities living along Myanmar’s border with India. A grant of 10,000 tons of rice and wheat to Myanmar was also announced.
Foreign Secretary Shringla expressed India’s continued support for people-centric socio-economic developmental projects, including those along the India-Myanmar border areas. He also emphasised India’s commitment for expeditious implementation of ongoing connectivity initiatives such as the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway.
Foreign Secretary reiterated India’s commitment to continue with the projects under Rakhine State Development Programme and Border Area Development Programme for the benefit of the people of Myanmar.
The visit also provided an opportunity to raise matters relating to India’s security, especially in the light of the recent incident in Churachandpur district in southern Manipur, where in mid November militants of the PLA killed Commanding Officer of 46 Battalion of Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife Anuja, their 6-year-old son Abeer, and four jawans.
“Foreign Secretary Shringla stressed the need to put an end to any violence and maintain peace and stability in the border areas. Both sides reiterated their commitment to ensure that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other,” it said.
India shares an approximately 1,700 km long border with Myanmar. Any developments in that country have a direct impact on India’s bordering regions. Peace and stability in Myanmar remain of utmost importance to India, specifically to its North Eastern Region.
“As a democracy and close neighbour, India has been involved in the democratic transition process in Myanmar and in this context has worked with various stakeholders in developing capacities on democratic systems and practices.
“India proposes to renew these efforts for Myanmar to emerge as a stable, democratic, federal union in accordance with the wishes of the people of Myanmar,” the statement said.
Suu Kyi, 76, has been under detention since the coup against her government on February 1.
Nationwide protests took place after the coup, leading to the deaths of more than 1,300 people and with thousands arrested.