India an ‘important bridge’ in shaping UNSC’s statement on Myanmar

In the wake of a military coup in Myanmar and detention of its top political leaders, India, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, has played an important role in shaping the UNSC’s position on the Myanmar issue.

India has pressed for dialogue and reconciliation, release of detained leaders, and underscored commitment to the sovereignty, political independence and unity of Myanmar.

The UNSC has not only called for release of the Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi but also stressed the need to uphold democratic institutions, refrain from violence, and fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

The UN Secretary-General has termed the military coup as “absolutely unacceptable” and called for mobilizing all the key actors of the international community to put enough pressure on Myanmar for restoring democracy.

The Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on July 29, 2019.

The Indian government has also expressed its willingness to bolster humanitarian assistance to the country and reemphasized the democratic process that must be upheld. India’s external affairs ministry, closely watching the developments in Myanmar, has extended support to the country to fight against the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Commenting on Indo-Myanmar ties, the ministry said in a statement that “India and Myanmar are neighbors with close cultural and people-to-people ties, bolstered by trade, economic, security and defence-related exchanges.”

India will have to continue to engage with Myanmar’s new leadership to ensure that China does not take advantage of the flux to scale up its presence in the resource-rich Southeast Asian state.

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