UN special envoy visits India and China to promote regional unity and de-escalation of violence in Myanmar

New Delhi: In a significant visit, the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, paid her first official visit in that capacity to New Delhi early this week (9 and 10 May).

During her stay, Heyzer engaged in meaningful discussions with high-level officials such as Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and Joint Secretary Bangladesh-Myanmar Smita Pant.

The crux of Heyzer's message was centred around the urgent need for regional solidarity to de-escalate violence, secure the release of political prisoners, and facilitate the return to civilian rule in Myanmar - a return that is based on the will of the people.

She commended India's pivotal role in the United Nations and as a leader of the Global South, particularly as it presently holds the presidency of the G20. Moreover, Heyzer acknowledged India's positive and constructive efforts towards achieving a peaceful resolution of the situation in Myanmar.

In this context, she expressed the United Nations' gratitude to the Government and people of India for their generous hospitality towards more than 53,000 refugees who had fled Myanmar. These refugees are currently residing in the Northeastern states of Manipur and Mizoram.

The Special Envoy emphasized that a unified regional approach supporting Myanmar-led solutions can bring about tangible progress on the ground. Such an approach must be grounded in the will and needs of the people and can urgently address their suffering while preventing a potential catastrophe in the heart of Asia.

The United Nations expresses deep gratitude to the Government and people of India for their unwavering support towards Myanmar refugees.

UN Special Envoy reaches China

The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, visited Beijing a week before her trip to India to reinforce a similar message regarding the crucial role of regional countries in addressing the multifaceted crisis in Myanmar. During her visit to China on May 1 and 2, Heyzer engaged in discussions with the State Councillor, Minister for Foreign Affairs of China, Qin Gang, and the Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Deng Xijun.

Heyzer highlighted China's significant role in the United Nations, including its position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and its unwavering support for ASEAN's central role in facilitating a peaceful resolution to the current crisis in the best interest of the people of Myanmar. The Special Envoy emphasized the need for regional unity to de-escalate violence and establish a return to civilian rule in Myanmar based on the people's will.

Her message was loud and clear that she needed support from both China and India, working together and prioritizing the interests of the Myanmar people so that the UN and regional countries could help prevent a potential catastrophe in the heart of Asia.

Myanmar is of geostrategic importance to India

Given its geostrategic significance, India has maintained ties with Myanmar's military regime since the 2021 takeover that ousted the civilian Government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Last week, India inaugurated the strategic Sittwe Port in Myanmar jointly with Myanmar officials. Indian Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonawal, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport & Communications of Myanmar, Admiral Tin Aung San, were the chief guests. The port, built with Indian assistance, is expected to play a critical role in enhancing connectivity, leading to a 50 per cent reduction in the cost and time of transporting goods to the North East.

India and Myanmar share a long land border of over 1643 kilometres and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal with four northeastern states. The two countries also share religious, linguistic, and ethnic ties, and Myanmar is the only ASEAN country adjoining India, serving as a gateway to Southeast Asia. India seeks to enhance its cooperation with Myanmar in line with its "Act East" and "Neighbourhood First" policies.

Despite political persecution and detentions in the country, India and China have not followed Western sanctions. China's border with Myanmar is 2,129 kilometres long, running from the tripoint with India in the north to the tripoint with Laos in the south.

Similarly, China is heavily involved in Myanmar and has been accused by Western countries of supporting the military junta and supplying weapons to their army.

Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang's also visited Myanmar in the first week of May; China and Myanmar have agreed to promote further comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries and deepen cooperation in various fields, including border security.

The developments highlight the growing importance of Myanmar as a crucial region in the ongoing geopolitical power struggle in Asia and control of the Indian Ocean.