India will be hosting the prestigious G20 summit for the first time, writes Burma Campaign UK’s director Mark Farmaner for Mizzima.
India’s policy towards neighbouring Myanmar could, and should, overshadow the summit. The G20 will bring together countries which have sanctioned the Myanmar military and are trying to prevent the supply of revenue and arms to the military with those which are actively arming and funding the military.
It’s not just President Modi’s arming of the Myanmar military which should be raised at the summit. Concern for human rights and support for democracy is simply not a factor in Indian foreign policy making towards Myanmar.
Modi has paid no diplomatic price for this unprincipled approach. The G20 summit is an opportunity to change this.