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Delhi wary of Musharraf's visit to
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Delhi wary of Musharraf's visit to Myanmar
The Hindu (New Delhi)
April 28, 2001
By Atul Aneja
NEW DELHI, APRIL 27. Concerned about the growing links between India and
Myanmar, the Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has
decided to visit Yangon early next month. Gen. Musharraf is expected to
reach the Myanmarese capital on May 5. This is a rescheduled visit as
the General had earlier planned to visit Myanmar in early January, prior
to the visit there by the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh.
Government sources here say that there could be a strategic slant to the
Musharraf visit as Islamabad is looking for a hold along India's eastern
borders ever since it lost East Pakistan to Bangladesh. Not
surprisingly, India will monitor this visit closely.
Pakistan, according to sources, is keen on establishing a ``presence''
in Myanmar. That can come by negotiating ``commercial openings'', which
would allow it to send Pakistani nationals in the country for long
durations, analysts here say. China, suspected of viewing Myanmar as a
gateway for acquiring influence in the Bay of Bengal area, has mastered
the art of exploiting commercial opportunities for promoting security
goals.
For instance, China positioned its nationals in time- consuming
infrastructure projects for construction of roads, railways, airfields
and ports in Myanmar earlier. Beijing, among others, has developed
Myanmar's Hainggyi base, constructed a rail link from Kalemyo to Pokakku
and developed the airfields of Mandalay, Pegu and Yangon.
Similar intent by Pakistan, though obviously on a qualitatively much
smaller scale, is bound to concern India. India realises that the
presence of any forces in Myanmar, which are inimical to its interests,
can have a negative impact on India's national security. Several areas
of Myanmar, such as the Hukwang valley and the areas west of the
Chindwin river, have been used as bases by Naga insurgents. An assured
Pakistani presence in Yangon, therefore, can result in contacts which
can be used for promoting insurgency along India's northeastern
frontiers further.
Gen. Musharraf's visit is expected to lead to an expansion of military
contacts between Islamabad and Yangon. Pakistan, is looking for an
opening to sell its arms. In fact, Myanmar is not a new market for
Islamabad as it has sold two consignments of weapons and ammunition
worth $2.5 million in March-April 1999. Pakistan, which is familiar with
Chinese weapons which it imports in large numbers, is also looking for
tying up with Myanmar for the supply of spare parts. Like Pakistan,
Myanmar also imports large quantities of Chinese military equipment.
Sources point out that of late Pakistan has been taking greater recourse
to arms sales as levers for drawing diplomatic benefits. For instance,
its military sales to Sri Lanka during the heat of an LTTE offensive has
been a factor in bringing it closer to Colombo.
Given Pakistan's proximity to China, India will closely observe the
extent to which the Myanmarese react to Islamabad's overtures during the
Musharraf visit. As of now, the Myanmarese are keen to ``balance'' their
close relations with China by forging strong ties with India.
The visit of General Maung Aye to India and the trip by Mr. Jaswant
Singh for the inauguration of the strategic Tamu- Kalewa road link was
interpreted here as a manifestation of this policy. Any deviation from
this stance, during the Musharraf visit, is expected to activate India's
security concerns.
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<center><b><font color="#0000FF"><font size=+2>Delhi wary of Musharraf's
visit to Myanmar</font></font></b></center>
<p><b><font color="#990000"><font size=+1>The Hindu (New Delhi)</font></font></b>
<br><b><font color="#990000"><font size=+1>April 28, 2001</font></font></b>
<p><b><font size=+1><font color="#990000">By </font><font color="#999900">Atul
Aneja</font></font></b>
<p><font size=+1><b><font color="#990000">NEW DELHI, APRIL 27.</font></b>
Concerned about the growing links between India and Myanmar, the Pakistan
Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has decided to visit Yangon early
next month. Gen. Musharraf is expected to reach the Myanmarese capital
on May 5. This is a rescheduled visit as the General had earlier planned
to visit Myanmar in early January, prior to the visit there by the External
Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Government sources here say that there could be a strategic
slant to the Musharraf visit as Islamabad is looking for a hold along India's
eastern borders ever since it lost East Pakistan to Bangladesh. Not surprisingly,
India will monitor this visit closely.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Pakistan, according to sources, is keen on establishing
a ``presence'' in Myanmar. That can come by negotiating ``commercial openings'',
which would allow it to send Pakistani nationals in the country for long
durations, analysts here say. China, suspected of viewing Myanmar as a
gateway for acquiring influence in the Bay of Bengal area, has mastered
the art of exploiting commercial opportunities for promoting security goals.</font>
<p><font size=+1>For instance, China positioned its nationals in time-
consuming infrastructure projects for construction of roads, railways,
airfields and ports in Myanmar earlier. Beijing, among others, has developed
Myanmar's Hainggyi base, constructed a rail link from Kalemyo to Pokakku
and developed the airfields of Mandalay, Pegu and Yangon.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Similar intent by Pakistan, though obviously on a qualitatively
much smaller scale, is bound to concern India. India realises that the
presence of any forces in Myanmar, which are inimical to its interests,
can have a negative impact on India's national security. Several areas
of Myanmar, such as the Hukwang valley and the areas west of the Chindwin
river, have been used as bases by Naga insurgents. An assured Pakistani
presence in Yangon, therefore, can result in contacts which can be used
for promoting insurgency along India's northeastern frontiers further.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Gen. Musharraf's visit is expected to lead to an expansion
of military contacts between Islamabad and Yangon. Pakistan, is looking
for an opening to sell its arms. In fact, Myanmar is not a new market for
Islamabad as it has sold two consignments of weapons and ammunition worth
$2.5 million in March-April 1999. Pakistan, which is familiar with Chinese
weapons which it imports in large numbers, is also looking for tying up
with Myanmar for the supply of spare parts. Like Pakistan, Myanmar also
imports large quantities of Chinese military equipment.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Sources point out that of late Pakistan has been taking
greater recourse to arms sales as levers for drawing diplomatic benefits.
For instance, its military sales to Sri Lanka during the heat of an LTTE
offensive has been a factor in bringing it closer to Colombo.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Given Pakistan's proximity to China, India will closely
observe the extent to which the Myanmarese react to Islamabad's overtures
during the Musharraf visit. As of now, the Myanmarese are keen to ``balance''
their close relations with China by forging strong ties with India.</font>
<p><font size=+1>The visit of General Maung Aye to India and the trip by
Mr. Jaswant Singh for the inauguration of the strategic Tamu- Kalewa road
link was interpreted here as a manifestation of this policy. Any deviation
from this stance, during the Musharraf visit, is expected to activate India's
security concerns.</font>
<br>
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