Making India-Myanmar relations meaningful

 Col R Hariharan 

Myanmar President Thein Sein’s visit to India from October 12th to 15th had only limited visibility in Indian media that has become characteristic of news relating to Myanmar.  Unlike the earlier visits of Myanmar’s heads of state, Thein Sein’s visit is of special interest on two counts – the changing political environment in Myanmar and India’s slow assertion of its strategic perception. In the near term, these developments might compel India to take A relook at its Myanmar policy and reshape it in keeping with the changes taking place both within and outside Myanmar. 

What is the 'Real Axis of Evil'?

The phrase ‘Axis of Evil’ coined in the wake of rise of Al Qaeda, means many things to many people. But what is the real ‘Axis of Evil’ that India should be worried about?

Well-known counter-terrorism expert B Raman’s examines this core concern while discussing the issue of terrorism in the context of India-Pakistan relations in his mail interview with Jahanzeb Aslam  published in Newsweek Pakistan. His comment “India is fully capable of dealing with Pakistan and has no concerns. What we are worried about is the increasing strategic threat from the developing Sino-Pakistani axis….This developing axis is the real axis of evil.” is noteworthy. Excerpts of the interview titled “The Real Axis of Evil”  is reproduced here for your reading. 

Excerpts:

What has India’s role been in the U.S.-led war on terror?

India’s primary role is exchange of intelligence, knowledge, experience and capabilities, and mutual assistance in legal matters with interested countries, including the U.S.

Is Myanmar-China relation entering a tricky phase?

  By Col. R. Hariharan 

Myanmar’s recent decision to suspend the construction of the Chinese-aided Irrawaddy Myitsone hydroelectric dam project in Kachin State comes as a pleasant surprise, whatever be the reasons behind the Myanmar decision. 

However, the moot point is, whether the three-decade old relationship carefully nurtured by both sides is entering a new tricky phase? 

China’s immediate reaction to the announcement by the Myanmar President Thein Sein was tinged with irritability in the midst of polite bureaucratic wordings.   It would indicate China was not probably consulted before Myanmar President went public with the decision.  This is clearly a case of proverbial Chinese loss of face. 

Sri Lanka Perspectives - September 2011

By Col R Hariharan

President Rajapaksa’s address to UN General Assembly

For Sri Lankans, the highlight of the month was President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s address at the UN General Assembly. In his speech, the President skirted the human rights issues and allegations of war crimes for which Sri Lanka had come under strong criticism. Similarly he gave a broad brush to the Tamil political question also. He focused on the rehabilitation and developmental activity undertaken by his government in the postwar period. He averred “the remarkable growth of 22% of the economy of the Northern Province” was a clear indication of the success achieved” by his government’s initiatives on development in the North.  The President cited the moving up of Sri Lanka from the 52^nd to 79^th rank in the assessment by the World Economic Forum as a testimony to overall economic progress made by his country.