EAM Jaishankar Meets Myanmar Counterpart In Bangkok, Border Disturbance Discussed

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday met with his Myanmar counterpart Than Swe and they discussed the disturbance in their common border in Manipur where reports of militants crossing it with heavy arms during the Meitei and Kuki ethnic clashes have surfaced. 

Speaking about the need to ensure peace and stability in the border areas, Jaishankar reportedly said, “seriously disturbed recently and any actions that aggravate the situation should be avoided”. He also added, “Flagged concerns about human and drug trafficking. Urged stronger cooperation among relevant parties for the early return of trafficked victims."

Jaishankar mentioned that India is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Myanmar and supports the democratic transition happening there, he reportedly said, "India supports the democratic transition process in Myanmar and highlights the need for return of peace and stability. We will closely coordinate our policy with ASEAN in this regard."

The India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway is currently running four years behind its deadline and one of the reasons behind its delay is the disturbed conditions in Myanmar. The unrest also allows the militants to cross over to India easily.

According to the reports, the trilateral highway which would be 1,400 km long is supposed to boost trade, business, health, education and tourism among the three countries and they also have plans to extend it to Vietnam. 

The security cooperation between India and Myanmar has been better than before. Several northeast-based military camps were busted after a three-week operation was held in both countries in 2019. In 2020, a special plane reportedly dropped 12 militants in Imphal and 10 more in Guwahati. Five Manipur militants who were involved in the killing of a commanding officer of an Army battalion and his wife in Churachandpur were handed over by Myanmar in 2021. 

Jaishankar later met his Thai counterpart Pramudwinai. He took to Twitter and wrote, "Continuing our conversations from Jakarta. Pleased to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai of Thailand today. Look forward to the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting this afternoon."

Jaishankar will participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation Mechanism and attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Bangkok.