Revision as of 02:14, 21 October 2020

Defence relations

2018: Myanmar, militias ink peace pact with India as witness

February 14, 2018: The Times of India

As a sign of its support to the ongoing peace process in Myanmar, India was among the countries which attended as international witnesses the signing of a National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) between Myanmar and two ethnic armed groups in Naypyitaw on Tuesday.

The government said in a statement that India supported the Myanmar peace process and that comprehensive peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar will also be conducive for the peace and prosperity of India’s northeastern states.

“Given the positive bilateral relationship between India and Myanmar and the significance for India of the Myanmar peace process, Myanmar had earlier invited India (together with China, Japan, Thailand, the UN and the EU) to sign the NCA as international witnesses in October 2015,’’ said MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar.

“NSA Ajit Doval had represented India on that occasion. Today’s event is another step in the process with two more parties, the NMSP (New Mon State Party) and the LDU (Lahu Democratic Union), agreeing to sign the NCA. The presence of our representative demonstrates India’s continued support to the peace process in Myanmar,” he added. India’s deputy NSA Rajinder Khanna attended the ceremony.

News agency Reuters reported that NMSP and LDU signed the NCA after meeting Suu Kyi and the military’s commander-in-chief, senior general Min Aung Hlaing, in Naypyitaw last month. “At least 10 rebel groups have not joined the NCA, an accord negotiated by the previous quasi-civilian administration. Suu Kyi has opened a new round of talks with some of the groups since last May,” said the report.

In 2015 too, India had attended the signing of a deal as a witness, together with China, Japan, Thailand, the UN and the EU

2020: UMS Min Ye Thein Kha Thu

Rajat Pandit, October 16, 2020: The Times of India

Eye on China, India gives Myanmar a sub

New Delhi:

In a major move that comes amid the ongoing military confrontation in Ladakh, India has handed over one of its diesel-electric submarines to Myanmar to counter China’s strategic inroads in the region.

Myanmar has already commissioned the 3,000-tonne submarine INS Sindhuvir, rechristening it UMS Min Ye Thein Kha Thu, and even proudly deployed it during the country’s “Bandoola” fleet exercise, which was inspected by commander-inchief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday.

TOI in December last year had reported that all decks had been cleared for Myanmar to commission INS Sindhuvir, with its sailors set to train in the complex art of underwater combat operations on the submarine from March-April onwards this year.

The MEA on Thursday officially announced the decision to deliver INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar. “Cooperation in the maritime domain is a part of our diverse and enhanced engagement with Myanmar. This is in accordance with our vision of Sagar — Security and Growth for All in the Region, and also in line with our commitment to build capacities and self-reliance in all our neighbouring countries,” said MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava.

The announcement came after Army chief General M M Naravane and foreign secretary Harsh Shringla visited Myanmar on October 4-5. The submarine transfer is significant in the backdrop of China supplying two Mingclass diesel-electric submarines to Bangladesh in 2016. It will also deliver a Yuan-class submarine to Thailand in 2023, with two more to follow.