Myanmar has introduced sweeping reforms. It has done away with pre-publication censorship of media after about five decades. In the past, news articles and reports had to be submitted for vetting by the Press Scrutiny and Publication department before they were released. New legislation is in the offing to update media laws. This means goodbye to suppression of freedom of expression by the military regime. Previously, criticism of the government was just not allowed. President Thein Sein and his government are committed to other democratic reforms. A nominally civilian government took office last year but that has brought about radical reforms. Hundreds of political prisoners have been released. Unions have been legalized. Free and fair elections have been held. Aung San Suu Kyi, a national symbol of democracy, has been elected to the Myanmarese Parliament.
All this is good for India. Massive areas of bilateral cooperation exist in trade, education, healthcare and energy exploration. Connectivity through Myanmar can provide India’s Northeast access to South Asian markets. India has extended a $ 800 million line of credit to Myanmar. The fact that Myanmar has already seen a sea change shows that India was justified in having close links with it despite Western sanctions on the former. There is however still challenges for Myanmar in ethnic conflicts and the hold of the army over parliament and government. India will do well to develop ties with its neighbour and help it achieve economic progress.