The high-level meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister Than Swe underscores the complex and multifaceted relationship between the two neighbouring countries. Amid Myanmar’s on-going civil war and political turmoil, the discussions reflect India’s strategic and humanitarian concerns, which are rooted in both regional stability and bilateral interests. One of the central themes of the meeting was the impact of Myanmar’s civil war on India’s North-eastern states.
The protracted conflict, involving pro-democracy militias and Myanmar’s military government, has spilled over into border regions, exacerbating security and humanitarian challenges. For India, this poses significant threats, not just in terms of cross-border violence but also through the influx of refugees. The shared ethnic ties between border communities in the two countries add another layer of complexity, as the exodus of Myanmar citizens into Indian states necessitates a sensitive and coordinated response to maintain regional........