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PM Narendra Modi's visit to expand strategic an

footprint in Myanmar
BY DIPANJAN ROY CHAUDHURY, ET BUREAU | AUG 31, 2017, 06.06 AM IST

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modis three-city Myanmar visit from September 5-7 comes at
an appropriate time with India seeking to expand strategic and economic footprint in the
South East Asian country where Chinese attempts to enhance its sphere of influence has
been met with varying degrees of success.

The visit to Myanmar considered Indias gateway to South East Asia is aimed at
expanding security and defence partnership amid Myanmar Armys fight against Rohingya
rebels. Delhi stood by its neighbour after the recent terror attack in the Rakhine state and
the PMs visit would focus on expanding defence and security partnerships.

A substantive package was put forward during Myanmar Army Chief Senior-General Min PM Modi's visit
Aung Hlaings 8-day visit to India recently coinciding with the Doklam standoff. gateway to Sou
expanding secu
Myanmar Army
Both sides have agreed to step up intelligence cooperation to fight insurgency along the
border with Bangladesh (infested with Rohingya terrorists), northeastern states and China
Big Change:
where insurgents are active. While India and Myanmar plan to do more to secure their The end of Five
1,640-km border from northeastern insurgents, Myanmar generals have long fought the
rebels backed by China along the border and have often displayed their distrust toward China.

India also has major plans for highways and port infrastructure (Indo-Myanmar-Thai highway & Kaladan m
Sittwe Port) in Myanmar that will be an alternative to Chinas OBOR in the region.

Myanmar might be heading towards a debt crisis following Chinas move forcing Myanmar to hand over ma
strategic port in the Bay of Bengal, to Beijing. China is expected to take controlling stakes, as high as 85%
projects in Myanmar, although the initial agreement for some of them was on a 50:50 basis. China has also
stake in a strategic deep sea port, Kyauk Pyu. The $7.3-b project is funded by China and Myanmar, whose

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steam, might find it difficult to repay the loan. The $3.6-b Myitsone dam project, financed by China, is also
making for years, the project was suspended in September 2011.
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Modis second trip to Myanmar (he had attended India-ASEAN, East Asia Summits there in 2015) would al
invoked. The two sides will sign MoU for the conservation of earthquake-damaged pagodas at Bagan.

ET View: Strengthen Ties

India needs to focus on strengthening its relations in the regionforging partnerships. Besides security an
Delhi must leverage its cultural and historical ties with Myanmar and the South East Asian region to build a
relationship. Prime Minister Modis visit to Myanmar is part of the governments neighbourhood fi rst
an alternative to China in the region.

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