It is evident that national security adviser Ajit Doval’s proposed visit to Myanmar on Wednesday is an imposed necessity following Naypipidaw’s unhappiness at the way Indians handled the communications and media strategy after the unilateral military action to hit camps of the Naga insurgents’ Khaplang faction on the Myanmarese side of the border.
The June 9 military action was noted for its precision and outstanding operational success. However, the political crowing that followed among the ministerial colleagues of Prime Minister Narendra Modi angered not just Pakistan but also upset friendly Myanmar. Given the background, it was necessary to soothe ruffled feelings in that country.
It is expected Mr Doval’s trip will do just that. Restoring equilibrium will be crucial to India’s effort at dealing with various insurgent groups in the Northeast. The declared objective of the NSA’s visit is to coordinate security-related actions with the Myanmar authorities for future actions against the NSCN (Khaplang), and the Paresh Barua-led Ulfa. These two groups currently believed to nestle somewhere in Myanmar.
For years the Northeast rebels have operated out of Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh, and have slipped back into these territories when confronted with assault from the Indian side. For a broader Indian effort to deal with them, it is required that we coordinate with the authorities in these countries on a close and sustained basis. Joint operations with the intelligence and security units of our neighbours have indeed been carried out in the past to round up the insurgents.
The NSA’s trip therefore comes not a day too soon. Indeed, the dividend would have been the greater had such a consultation taken place before June 9. Sharing credit with neighbours when it is due can seldom be a bad idea. Mr Doval could profitably follow up his Myanmar visit with trips to Bhutan and Bangladesh as well. This would send a salutary message to the rebels, their leaders, and handlers, among whom are suspected to be elements of the Myanmarese as well as the Chinese Army, going by the understanding of Indian intelligence agencies.
The Indian thinking to follow up quickly on the success of the June 9 military action against the NSCN (Khaplang) is both logical and sound. Apart from the diplomacy and the coordination needed with neighbours, gearing up for the action within our own territory must also be done with despatch. The Motor Vehicles Agreement that was signed in Thimphu on Monday between India, Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal will no doubt also help to tackle insurgencies, and arms and drugs smuggling gangs, besides aiding the broader cause of economic connectivity. When passenger and goods vehicles cross borders seamlessly, government cooperation is automatically facilitated. That’s a big plus.
