Strategic power play in Myanmar

By Col R Hariharan

The US Secretary of State Ms Hilary Clinton’s recent visit to Myanmar, the first ever of its kind in the last five decades, is likely to be a turning point in the estranged relationship between the two countries. And that could bring the US-China power play closer home to Myanmar.

Myanmar President Thein Sein had been taking many positive steps to establish the government’s democratic credentials. And as Ms Clinton’s visit comes after a lot of preparatory work by US representatives, Myanmar had high expectations from the visit. From news reports after her visit, the chances of the two countries resuming normal relations in the near future appear to have become brighter.

Myanmar’s chances for ASEAN chairmanship brighten

By Col. R. Hariharan 

Myanmar President Thein Sein must be rejoicing at the visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa’s comment that political reforms in Myanmar looked "irreversible." Reuters quoted the Indonesian Minister as saying, “I wish to believe and I get the sense that they are meant to be irreversible. I did not get any indication that the process will stop.” 

According to the report he said he had urged Myanmar's leaders to release more political prisoners and take greater steps to reconcile with restive ethnic groups. He expected progress in these areas before the country assumes the chair of ASEAN. 

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. 

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.