Myanmar is one of our neighbours. It came under British rule following the Anglo-Burmese wars in 1824-1885. Until 1938 it was a part of Indian union. It got independence from the British in 1948 but soon engulfed in the worst civil wars. The civil wars continued till 1962 when it was taken over by the military reign.
The military reign is continuing till now though the present government is concerned with democratic reforms. The Pioneer for democracy is U.Thein Sein. The elections in the country had taken place in 1990, but the then military ruler abolished democracy and prisoned the political leaders. Aung san suu kyi tried his level best to establish democracy, but he was put behind the bars and was barred from holding meetings and visiting other countries. But the present military reign is liberal and wants democratic reforms. Suu kyi is allowed to visit other nations and there is more freedom for people. The latest development has been the freedom of press. Earlier the editorials were first checked by Press scrutiny and registration dept and then published. All these developments have been welcomed by both western world as well as India.
Indian PM visited Myanmar in June 2012 on request of the president Thein Sein and paved the way for bilateral relations between the two countries. There were agreements on various aspects like development cooperation, trade, power, cultural and people contacts and regional and multicultural cooperation.
All these developments in the Myanmar are strategically important for India. Good relations with Myanmar would ensure less border issues, less insurgency problems in Nagaland and Manipur and above all India's interest in the East Asia would be strengthened. Both India and China are trying to build their influence in East Asian countries for which Myanmar would play a greater role owing to its better land connectivity.
The military reign is continuing till now though the present government is concerned with democratic reforms. The Pioneer for democracy is U.Thein Sein. The elections in the country had taken place in 1990, but the then military ruler abolished democracy and prisoned the political leaders. Aung san suu kyi tried his level best to establish democracy, but he was put behind the bars and was barred from holding meetings and visiting other countries. But the present military reign is liberal and wants democratic reforms. Suu kyi is allowed to visit other nations and there is more freedom for people. The latest development has been the freedom of press. Earlier the editorials were first checked by Press scrutiny and registration dept and then published. All these developments have been welcomed by both western world as well as India.
Indian PM visited Myanmar in June 2012 on request of the president Thein Sein and paved the way for bilateral relations between the two countries. There were agreements on various aspects like development cooperation, trade, power, cultural and people contacts and regional and multicultural cooperation.
All these developments in the Myanmar are strategically important for India. Good relations with Myanmar would ensure less border issues, less insurgency problems in Nagaland and Manipur and above all India's interest in the East Asia would be strengthened. Both India and China are trying to build their influence in East Asian countries for which Myanmar would play a greater role owing to its better land connectivity.
