INDIA-MYANMAR RELATIONS (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, the Legislative Assembly in Nagaland unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to reconsider its decision to seal the Indo-Myanmar border, following a similar resolution passed earlier this week by the Mizoram Assembly.

India–Myanmar Border

• About: It is the international border between India and Myanmar (formerly Burma). 
• Length: 1,643 kilometres (1,021 mi) in length and runs from the tripoint with China in the north to the tripoint with Bangladesh in the south.
• The border between India and Myanmar runs along four states: Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Capital city: Naypyidaw

India Myanmar Relations

• Historical, Ethnic, and Cultural Ties: India and Myanmar share deep historical, ethnic, cultural, and religious connections.
• Strategic Relations: Myanmar's strategic location makes it a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. India and Myanmar have engaged in cooperation to counteract drug trafficking and insurgent groups along their shared border.
• Economic Relations: India and Myanmar are members of BIMSTEC, SAARC, and the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, which have facilitated closer ties and increased influence among Southeast Asian nations.
• Trade Relations: Bilateral trade has been growing steadily to reach US$ 2178.44 million (2016-17), of which Indian exports amounted to US$ 1111.19 million and India's imports to US$ 1067.25 million.

oIndia is the fifth largest trading partner of Myanmar but trade remains below potential.