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China in Indias Look East- Myanmar: Strategic Interests and Security Concerns

Author Affiliations

  • 1Scholar at the Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 3, Issue (6), Pages 54-57, June,14 (2014)

Abstract

Myanmar is a geo-strategic factor in the Asian political dynamics. It is located at the tri-junction of South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia, thereby, historically serving as a trade corridor. Most importantly, it also maps as a critical juncture between India and China, where it shares common borders with the two rising Asian giants- with a 1,643 kilometre border with India and 2,185 kilometre border with China. It acts as a landbridge for both the countries- for India’s Northeastern states and Southern provinces of China. This geostrategic location has made Myanmar a strategic convergence point between India and China, through which they can expand their connectivity and cooperative links. In this context, India’s concerns over Myanmar emerges from rising Chinese footprints in India’s ‘Look East’- whereby similar to Pakistan, Myanmar is perceived to be a Chinese proxy for balancing India in the region. While for China, Myanmar acts as a gateway to India’s sphere of influence- the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These factors contribute to India’s rising security concerns as China’s strategic interests in Myanmar pose serious threats to India’s maritime and economic interests in the Indian Ocean. In this context, this paper maps out the growing Chinese presence in Myanmar and how it is impacting India’s security interests.

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