Chennai:
The conference which was held in the wake of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Myanmar also highlighted that the time is
ripe to counter China’s economic hegemony in the region following the move by
Myanmar President Thein Sein to bring in democratic reforms.
Former diplomat and academician Prof Veena Sikri highlighted how China’s influence grew in the region with the setting up of factories as well as exporting its labour to Myammar. “This has resulted in the growth of Chinese population and left the Burmese poor as they had no role to play in the economic development,” she highlighted.
Interestingly, the focus was equally on the need for a federal structure for Myanmar as 135 ethnic groups in the country control nearly 60 per cent of land with Sikri suggesting India’s democratic federalism could be a blueprint for Myanmar.
Prof Aswini Ray of International Studies and Comparative Politics at Jawahar Lal Nehru University said a democratic Myanmar is a natural ally of India and said India must pressurize the new regime for greater democratisation for its own interest.
C S Kuppuswamy, consultant with South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG) stressed the need for Myamar having a special place in India’s ‘Look East’ policy besides more private sector involvement in the region.
Myanmar refugee Thin Thin Aung, a presidium board member of Women’s league of Burma and co-founder of Mizzima News said there is a need to amend Burmese constitution to look into the problems of ethnic minorities. Interestingly, Thin is planning to go back to Burma following the democratic reforms introduced in the country.
As
Myanmar is undergoing a democratic transition, foreign policy experts stressed
the need for greater involvement of India in the region by strengthening trade
and social ties.
Former diplomat and academician Prof Veena Sikri highlighted how China’s influence grew in the region with the setting up of factories as well as exporting its labour to Myammar. “This has resulted in the growth of Chinese population and left the Burmese poor as they had no role to play in the economic development,” she highlighted.
Interestingly, the focus was equally on the need for a federal structure for Myanmar as 135 ethnic groups in the country control nearly 60 per cent of land with Sikri suggesting India’s democratic federalism could be a blueprint for Myanmar.
Prof Aswini Ray of International Studies and Comparative Politics at Jawahar Lal Nehru University said a democratic Myanmar is a natural ally of India and said India must pressurize the new regime for greater democratisation for its own interest.
C S Kuppuswamy, consultant with South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG) stressed the need for Myamar having a special place in India’s ‘Look East’ policy besides more private sector involvement in the region.
Myanmar refugee Thin Thin Aung, a presidium board member of Women’s league of Burma and co-founder of Mizzima News said there is a need to amend Burmese constitution to look into the problems of ethnic minorities. Interestingly, Thin is planning to go back to Burma following the democratic reforms introduced in the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment