In a landmark decision, the US has restored full diplomatic relations with Myanmar responding to the new civilian government’s rapid campaign of political and economic change. Very recently, the Yangon government concluded a ceasefire with ethnic Karen rebels and agreed to release prominent political leaders who had been arrested in the August 2007 anti-government protest. Steps have been taken for some time to ease tension between the US and Myanmar. It indicates a refashioning of US diplomacy in Asia where the Obama administration has embarked on a refocusing of its foreign policy. President Barack Obama has personally welcomed the release of leaders of student protests and militant Buddhist monks who had risen against Myanmar’s erstwhile military junta. Obama called it a substantial step towards democratic reform. Hillary Clinton was the first US Secretary of State to visit Myanmar in December last year after a gap since 1955. She had promised the return of a US ambassador to Myanmar after two decades.
It was in 1988 that Aung San Suu Kye, the Opposition leader rose to prominence. The government later engaged her in a dialogue since her release from house arrest in November 2010. Myanmar’s civilian government took office in March ending nearly 50 years of military rule. It remains to be seen whether UN sanctions will now be lifted. India should welcome the setting up of a civilian government in that country. It had of course close ties with the military junta for some time and even sent military hardware to it. Now its relations with Myanmar will be free from international democratic opprobrium. The accord between the two countries is in the interest of both promoting economic exchanges. India is particularly interested in cooperation from the Myanmarese government in helping the expulsion of rebels from Northeastern India harbouring in jungle hideouts in that country.
