ASEAN has called for cessation of violence and opening a dialogue between military and civilian leaders in Myanmar

Welcoming the ASEAN initiative on Myanmar, India on Sunday said that as a friend of the people of Myanmar, it will continue to play a constructive and meaningful role aimed at resolving the current situation in the Southeast Asian country.

“We welcome the ASEAN initiative on Myanmar agreed at the ASEAN Summit held on April 24. Our diplomatic engagement with Myanmar will be aimed at strengthening these efforts,” Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries on ASEAN initiative on Myanmar.

“India, as a friend of the people of Myanmar, will continue to play a constructive and meaningful role aimed at resolving the current situation in Myanmar. India’s support to the democratic process in Myanmar remains steadfast,” he added.

On 24 April, the 10-member ASEAN held an emergency meeting in Jakarta on the Myanmar situation and issued a five-point statement, which called for cessation of the violence and opening a dialogue between the military and civilian leaders and initiating a process overseen by a special ASEAN envoy who would also visit Myanmar with a delegation. The 10-member bloc has also offered humanitarian assistance.

According to reports, more than 700 people have been killed and thousands detained in Myanmar since the military coup in the Southeast Asian country on February 1, 2021.