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India's hitherto insignificant engagement in the developments in the changing Myanmar ( was the focus of the interaction held in Guwahati with speakers aligning with pro-democracy movement in Burma exhorting upon India to rise to the occasion and become discernible in its engagement in the neighbouring country.
Addressing the interaction on 'Changing Policies in Burma: Opportunities and Challenges', Dr Tint Swe, chairman, Burma Centre Delhi, said, "Whether concrete or not, there are visible changes in Burma. The south-east Asian countries are actively engaging with the ruling government there. The western countries are very active in this enterprise and Japan follows suite. China has been there for a long time. But India's hand is still short."
Dr Swe, who was an elected Burmese member of Parliament in 1990 belonging to National League for Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi, and has been living in India for two decades, said "The gateway to south-east and east Asia for India is the north-east. Unfortunately the ground in the NE is still not suitable to match up with new developments in Burma."
"It is crucial for India to make the road to Burma workable. Today, the traditional military joint venture between India and Burmese military regime is outdated. Therefore, an alternative approach, a constructive one towards India's north-east and Burma is necessary," he added.
Dr Alana Golmei, coordinator of the Burma Centre Delhi cautiously pointed out that the continuing waves of reforms in 2011 and 2012 including the release of several prominent political prisoners by the Burmese government in January gave optimism to many international observers, people in the country and governments around the world that Burma is finally on the track to irreversible reforms.
Nevertheless, it will be too early to assume that the reform is irreversible when there are many serious questions still to be answered and challenges to be addressed in the country.
Golmei said "Change in Burma invites change from India through the north-east". She added, "It will be appropriate for India to move beyond its self-centered strategic and economic interest in Burma and now play the role of a responsible neighbor by taking initiative towards improving education, healthcare, transnational civil society capacity-building and peace- initiatives."
A report on "India-Burma Relations: Trends & Developments (1990-2011)" compiled and published by Burma Centre Delhi was unveiled on the occasion. The interactive session was organised by the BCD in collaboration with Journalist Forum Assam with the objective of enlightening the civil society, media and social activists in India on the current changing situation in Burma.