Topic : India and its neighborhood- relations.
2. Discuss the significance of Myanmar for India while throwing light on the political logic that has shaped India’s Myanmar policy since the 1990s. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Recently Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Manoj Naravane visited Myanmar. Thus the context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the significance of Myanmar for India while throwing light on the political logic that has shaped India’s Myanmar policy since the 1990s.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with a brief background of India-Myanmar relations from past to present.
Body:
Discuss first the significance of Myanmar to India. Explain in detail the factors such as Myanmar is an immediate neighbor, essential for the development of NES. Myanmar is strategically important to India as it is the only ASEAN country that shares a border with India. It is also the only country that can act as a link between India and ASEAN. Myanmar is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and could be the required impetus to realize India’s Look East Policy. For India, Myanmar is key in linking South Asia to Southeast Asia and helping enhance its regional outreach etc.
Discuss India’s policy towards Myanmar.
Then explain the recent initiatives taken by India to strengthen ties with Myanmar.
Conclusion:
Conclude that India’s political engagement and diplomatic balancing seem to have worked so far in its ties with Myanmar. The new initiatives could mark a significant upturn in the bilateral relations as these help establish India’s presence in sectors where it ought to be more pronounced.
