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Module - III Geo-Politics

Security and Geo-Strategy
8.4.3 Myanmar

India shares 1643 km of its land boundary and maritime boundary in the Bay of
Bengal. A large number of Indians have been living in the country even before British
colonial rule in Myanmar, which was earlier called Burma. The presence of Indians in
Myanmar has helped strengthen bilateral relations. Trade between the two countries
has flourished. Myanmar is the gateway to South East Asia. Myanmar is also important
Note
because its help is needed to fight insurgency in Northeast India. Issues affecting ties
are:
• The borders are not fenced and hence insurgents in both Myanmar and in
Northeast India have become serious security issue. Within India, armed groups
based in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram use Myanmar as safe haven to operate.

• The problem of illegal migration - Muslim Rohingyas in Myanmar have illegally
migrated to India to escape the violence against them in their country.

8.4.4 Nepal

With Nepal too, India shares a common land boundary and has signed a friendship
treaty in 1950. Nepal is a Hindu Kingdom and has seen a steady growth in bilateral
relations in all spheres. Nepal is located in a strategically important area in the Himalayan
region bordering Tibet and hence demanded closer attention and ties for India. However,
there are some issues that have affected progress.

• Nepal is a land locked country and the access to sea ports are through India.
This some times creates frictions.
• Issue of Madeshi population is again a cause of discord between the two
countries.

• Issue of human trafficking. Thousands of Nepalese in India are believed to have
been trafficked to India illegally.

DO YOU KNOW

Human Trafficking means the practice of illegally transporting
people from one country to another for forced labor or exploitation

8.4.5 Sri Lanka

India is the only maritime neighbour for Sri Lanka and so generally speaking, there
have been good neighbourly relations with the country. India helped Sri Lanka in
solving the internal security problem from LTTE. It sent its peacekeeping force to
maintain stability and peace in the country. India has also been an economic partner

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MILITARY STUDIES