India's pragmatic Myanmar policy reflects strategic balancing amid regional power dynamics
Original framing: “India’s policy on Myanmar will be pragmatic, says official” — The Hindu
India's engagement with Myanmar has deep historical roots, including Cold War-era ties and post-independence strategic partnerships. The current policy echoes past Indian strategies of balancing regional powers while maintaining diplomatic neutrality.
India's policy toward Myanmar is a reflection of its broader geopolitical strategy, shaped by ASEAN norms, historical ties, and the need to balance relations with China.
While mainstream coverage frames this as a moral dilemma, a systemic view reveals the interplay of regional power dynamics, indigenous exclusion, and the limitations of Western-centric foreign policy frameworks. By integrating human rights, indigenous voices, and ASEAN-led diplomacy, India can evolve its approach into one that is both pragmatic and principled. The challenge lies in aligning strategic interests with ethical responsibility, a task that requires sustained engagement with marginalized communities and a rethinking of how global powers interact with authoritarian regimes.