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New Delhi: After the military undermined Myanmar’s democratic transition, and arrested State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials in Myanmar, India has noted the developments in the neighbouring country with deep concern.
In a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry, the Indian Government on Monday 1 February said India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely.
Only a few months ago, world leaders were congratulating Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on her party’s recent electoral victory. The elections had marked an important step in Myanmar’s transition to democracy.
Notwithstanding the immediate challenges facing Myanmar, particularly the Rohingya crisis and the conflict in Rakhine, the US and other western countries, were looking forward to Myanmar playing its role in the wider Indo-Pacific region and to a closer partnership with ASEAN. Under the circumstances, especially when China is maintaining silence, major countries around the world are watching the military coup in Myanmar with deep concern.
US President Joe Biden has said in a statement that the military’s seizure of power in Burma, the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials, and the declaration of a national state of emergency are a direct assault on the country’s transition to democracy and the rule of law.
The US President has further said: “In a democracy, force should never seek to overrule the will of the people or attempt to erase the outcome of a credible election. For almost a decade, the people of Burma have been steadily working to establish elections, civilian governance, and the peaceful transfer of power. That progress should be respected.
The international community should come together in one voice to press the Burmese military to immediately relinquish the power they have seized, release the activists and officials they have detained, lift all telecommunications restrictions, and refrain from violence against civilians. The United States is taking note of those who stand with the people of Burma in this difficult hour. We will work with our partners throughout the region and the world to support the restoration of democracy and the rule of law, as well as to hold accountable those responsible for overturning Burma’s democratic transition.
The United States removed sanctions on Burma over the past decade based on progress toward democracy. The reversal of that progress will necessitate an immediate review of our sanction laws and authorities, followed by appropriate action.
The United States will stand up for democracy wherever it is under attack.”
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