Monday, October 17, 2011

India and Burma argue over border insurgent issues

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Monday, 17 October 2011 21:26 Ko Pauk

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Burmese government has asked India to provide satellite imagery of anti-Indian insurgent military camps in order to wage military operations, and India has said that it had no truck with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), an anti-Burmese government ethnic armed group.

During the four-day visit of a Burmese delegation led by President Thein Sein to India recently, Lieutenant General Hla Htay Win of the office of the commander-in-chief met with the Indian national security advisor Shiv Shanker Menon in New Delhi, the Hindustan Times reported on Sunday.

A map of the Indian-Burmese border area where anti-Indian insurgents are active.

During the visit, which ended on Saturday, border security affairs was a main topic.

Indian officials denied that it had dropped food supplies to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) via helicopters, and that KIA troops were based in the Tirap-Changlang area in India.

Recently, Indian media reported that Indian Maoist rebels, popularly known as Naxalites, had a plan to open training camps inside Burmese territory, according to documents and maps seized by Indian police. Although Burma claims that it has taken actions against the anti-Indian insurgents, India has asked for proof.

At the end of the state visit, the Indian government announced a US$ 500 million credit line to Burma for developmental projects including irrigation projects in the border area.

Recently, Indian media reported that ULFA Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah, who heads an insurgent group, had been injured in a military operation launched by the Burmese army in early September.

On the other hand, a source close to Indian national security said that the Burmese army may have prearranged agreements with anti-India insurgents, because the insurgents usually evade Burmese army military operations, and the army usually attacks the insurgent’s empty bases. According to the source, the Burmese army frequently launches fake offensives against anti-Indian insurgents before quarterly border meetings between India and Burma.

According to Indian government sources, the northeast insurgent group NSCN-(K) is located in Taga, PLA and ULFA rebel camps spread over 20 to 30 kilometres, and PLA and UNLA rebels are based across the north and south of the Moreh border in Manipur.

Presently, Indian border post commanders meet their Burmese counterparts monthly; sector or division commanders meet four times a year; and Home Affairs Ministry officials meet once every six months.

India has proposed the enhancement of inter-army contacts on the Indo-Burmese border, and it wants commanders of both sides to meet twice a year.

When former junta Senior-General Than Shwe visited India last year, Burmese and Indian leaders agreed to promote joint military operations along the Indo-Burmese border. The recent discussions between the two countries are based on the previous agreement between the former Burmese junta and India.

One Response so far.

  1. Unknown says:

    Impresive writing! I am an NRI and i have never been to delhi before can you tell me what are the good heritage places to see in india other than delhi

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