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INDIA: CONDEMNED FOR APPEASING BURMA November 20, 2006
Zainab Osman
(SomaliNet) Exiled political leaders from Burma have expressed their anguish at the Indian government's policy of appeasing the Burmese military junta that has internationally been seen as committing human rights violations and suppressing its own people.
Dr. Tint Swe, a member of parliament from Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, urged the Indian government to change its stance towards the military regime and instead support the Burmese people for restoration of democracy in his country.
"Till the 1988 uprising for democracy, we enjoyed India's support, but now India is warming up to Burma because of four factors: improved Chinese relations with Burma, turmoil in northeast India, economic opportunities, and import of gas," lamented Swe, who has been living in exile in New Delhi for around 16 years. "We wish that India would promote democracy in Burma, which will also lend stability to India's troubled northeast."
Social activist Jaya Srivastava feels that globalization and marginalization are the culprits that have forced countries as well as corporates to queue up to Burma as an economic and trade partner.