Business Implications of Myanmar Coup for India

On February 01, 2021, the democratically elected government was toppled by the military, marking the end of Myanmar’s decade-long transition to democracy. Senior leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD) including Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint were detained while Senior General Min Aung Hlaing grabbed executive, legislative and judicial powers.

A state of emergency for a year has also been declared by the military. In such a premise, India, the world’s largest democracy, has remained silent over the issue. India’s reluctance to condemn the military coup in Myanmar, unlike in 1962, points to the growing significance of Myanmar to India. While Myanmar, India’s neighbour and gateway to South East Asia, is integral to achieve PM Narendra Modi’s “Act East Policy” and “Neighbourhood First Policy”, co-operation from Myanmar’s military is also necessary for India to counter the anti-India insurgents in Northeast across the India- Myanmar border.

The Myanmar Coup has strongly instated the Asian geopolitics centrality where most of its partners are having to choose between national financial interest and democratic values. This report talks about India’s realpolitik stance in the issue and how this can lead to opportunities and threats to Indian business.

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