SHILLONG: Former Indian Ambassador to Myanmar and author of the newly released book “India Myanmar Relations: Changing Contours”, Rajiv Bhatia interacted with a selected audience in a “meet the author” session at the Asian Confluence Center in the city.
The session assumes significance especially in aftermath of the decisive Myanmar elections and the ongoing suspense on the emerging presidential arrangements.
Rajiv Bhatia’s book gives a lucid and comprehensive account of Myanmar, ranging from Antiquity to the Raj, from Independence to Military rule during the reform period (2011 to early 2015) and the present state of relations.
There are three, rather special chapters on- Deciphering Myanmar, the India – Myanmar – China triangle and one on Policy Recommendations.
The significant conclusions are that while government to government relations are excellent between the countries, it is the business and people to people relations that need to be strengthened through well planned endeavors and conscious planning.
Answering a volley of questions in a discussion following the talk, moderated by Wasbir Hussain, well know TV journalist, Rajiv Bhatia gave a diplomat’s firsthand account of some of his experiences in Myanmar.
“The election results are a clear indication that the vote is for democracy and for Aug Sang Suu Kyi to lead it,” said Bhatia.
Other participants included Rajeev Bhattacharya, author of the book ‘Rendezvous with Rebels’ and Rakhee Bhattacharya from JNU.
The discussion acted as a prelude to the two-day conference ‘Young Scholars Forum: India’s North Eastern States and Eastern Neighbours: The Way Forward’ being organized by the Asian Confluence and the Indian Council for World Affairs, New Delhi.
