Episode #242: The situation at the Myanmar-India border exemplifies the intersection of regional geopolitics, ethnic dynamics, and national security concerns. Angshuman Choudhury, a policy analyst, emphasizes that the northeast region of India, with its proximity and historical ties to Myanmar, plays a pivotal role in India's strategic calculus. The border, stretching 1,640 kilometers, is not just a line on a map, but a space of significant ethnic and cultural interaction that impacts local and national policies.
India's relationship with Myanmar is a pragmatic one, influenced by security concerns over insurgent groups finding refuge in Myanmar and the broader geopolitical landscape marked by China's growing influence. Choudhury notes that the Indian government’s Act East policy and investments in border infrastructure underscore an ambition to integrate its northeast region more closely with Southeast Asia, positioning it as a gateway to further economic and strategic opportunities.
However, the influx of refugees from Myanmar following the coup in 2021 has complicated this goal, highlighting internal policy contradictions. Choudhury notes that while Mizoram's government has shown humanitarian support for refugees because of its ethnic ties and local sentiment, the federal government has taken a more cautious approach, revealing a tension between regional and national security priorities.
In essence, Choudhury points out how the dynamics at the Myanmar-India border illustrate how local ethnic relations, national security policies, and international strategic interests converge, creating a complex tapestry that has both immediate and long-term implications for the region.
“As far as Myanmar is concerned, there is almost an across the board consensus [in New Delhi] that ‘we've got to play safe.’ There is an understanding that we need political stability in Myanmar in order to ensure economic development and economic relationship with India, and also to prevent the spillover of the conflict into northeast India,” he says. “In fact, in that sense, there is a bipartisan consensus between India's ruling party and opposition parties over this issue.”
America Decides: How the US Election Could Reshape Burma Policy
The Longyi Revolution and Beyond
Breaking Ranks
Caught in the Crossfire
Hello from the Other Side
Monkey in the Middle
Revolutionizing Relief
Why Did Ashin Sarana Disrobe?
The Art of War
Bonus Content: An Interview with The Bangkok Podcast
Navigating a Mine Field
Namaste to Nowhere
Reading the Tea Leaves
The Cure Lies Within
Passage to India
A Woman’s Place is in the Revolution
From The Ground Up
Beyond the Headlines
Dr. Jenny Ko Gyi
Behind Enemy Lines
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Tucker Carlson Show
The Matt Walsh Show
The Glenn Beck Program
Mark Levin Podcast
The Michael Knowles Show