The conflict taking place at the doorstep of India, why has the internal conflict of this country become a major matter of concern?

India has called for an end to fighting between Myanmar’s military and anti-military regime groups near its border, which has led to an influx of refugees from the neighboring country into Mizoram. In the past few weeks, clashes between Myanmar’s anti-military regime groups and government forces have escalated in several major towns and areas near the border with India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi expressed deep concern over the incidents of violence near the India-Myanmar border. He said that as a result of the fighting, there has been an increase in the movement of citizens of the neighboring country on the India-Myanmar border into the Indian border. Bagchi said that we are extremely concerned about such incidents near our border. In such a situation, let us know why Myanmar’s internal strife is a cause of concern for India? Also, what is really happening in Myanmar?

‘Operation 1027’ and the junta’s response

On 27 October, the Three Brotherhood Alliance included the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army. It launched Operation 1027 in Myanmar’s northeastern Shan state, bordering China. Simultaneous attacks also took place in Rakhine state. Their demand is for the restoration of democracy that has been destroyed since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021. In fact, he issued a statement at the beginning of the offensive. It said the operation was motivated by our collective desire to protect the lives of civilians, assert our right to self-defence, maintain control of our territory and respond firmly to the ongoing artillery attacks and airstrikes by the Myanmar Army. . According to reports, the Myanmar army has lost control of several towns and over 100 security posts, leading to the declaration of martial law in eight townships near the Chinese border. Ethnic armed groups reported that an entire battalion of the Myanmar Army in Shan State had surrendered and that they would soon capture Laukking, the region’s main city. The Three Brotherhood Alliance has claimed victory since launching the offensive.

How will it affect India?

How does all this fighting and violence affect India? The rebels are fighting close to the Indian border. Recently on November 14, Angshuman Chaudhary, associate fellow at the Center for Policy Research, posted on Twitter that rebels in Myanmar have captured two towns along the Indian border, Rikhawdar in Chin and Khampat in the Sagaing region. Both these cities are important for the trade routes of India. But India’s concerns are not limited to the captured cities only. Importantly, the offensive is centered around Chin State. The Chin rebellion was supported by locals in Mizoram, partly due to close ethnic ties, and thousands of people from Myanmar sought refuge in the small Indian state, including ousted state and federal MPs. The rebels there have close ethnic ties with the local people of Mizoram. The Mizo people have links with the Chin community of Myanmar, and this has led to their influx. They are worried that the influx will change the dynamics in the state and further escalate the conflict between the warring Meiteis and Kukis in the state. According to reports, at least 5,000 people have entered Mizoram from Myanmar. Mizoram Police said more than 5,000 people have taken shelter in two Mizoram villages along the Myanmar border. Eight of them have been taken to Aizawl for better medical treatment and the rest are being treated in Champhai.