India has expressed its continued support to people-centric socio-economic developmental projects in Myanmar
India reiterated its support to Myanmar for its transition towards a federal democracy and discussed issues related to the situation along the border and security during the 20th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on Wednesday.
 
During the meeting the two sides held discussions on a wide range of issues, including trade, commerce, and connectivity. They also reviewed the status of bilateral development projects in Myanmar and expressed their concerns on transnational crimes, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
 
The Indian side expressed India’s continued support to people-centric socio-economic developmental projects, including connectivity projects and projects under Rakhine State Development Programme and Border Area Development Programme for the benefit of the people of Myanmar, the MEA added.
 
At the FOC, while the Indian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary, Vinay Kwatra, the Myanmar delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister of Myanmar, U Lwin Oo.
 
The meeting has taken place at the time when Myanmar is in the midst of fight between the military junta and the rebels. On October 27, rebels under the banner of the Brotherhood Alliance started assaults on military bases, towns and settlements across a swathe of Shan state that borders China’s Yunnan province to the North.
 
Considered as a major offensive against the junta, Aljazeera said rebels, during that attack, not only overran more than 80 military outposts, but also took possession of large caches of military weapons and ammunition. A BBC report on November 22 said that rebels, buoyed by their successes, are continuing their offensive against the Myanmar military. They have also taken control of large swathes of the country's areas bordering India, BBC said.
 
To the surprise of international watchers, some ethnic militia groups like the People’s Defence Force (PDF) which hitherto maintained low profile or preferred to strengthened their control in bordering and far-flung areas in the North and the Northeast of the country, have also started attacking the military, taking advantage of setback suffered by it in Shan state and other areas.  Other ethnic rebel groups like the Karen National Union in South-East Myanmar, have also stepped-up operations against military positions along the key route to the Thai border. Media reports suggest that the military has also suffered casualties in Rakhine, Kachin, Magwe and Sagaing regions.