India calls for restoration of democracy in Myanmar

[Sponsored Content] India has called upon the international community to lend its constructive support to the people of the Southeast Asian country at this critical juncture.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly Briefing on Myanmar on Friday, India’s Permanent Representative to UN TS Tirumurti stated that India will closely monitor the situation and will remain in discussion with like-minded countries so that the hopes and aspirations of the people are respected.

Referring to the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, Ambassador Tirumurti (pictured) told the UN General Assembly, “India shares a land and maritime border with Myanmar and has direct stakes in the maintenance of peace and stability. The recent developments in Myanmar are therefore being closely monitored by India.”

Expressing deep concern that the gains made by Myanmar over the last decades on the path towards democracy should not be undermined, he said as the largest democracy India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar for it to emerge as a stable democratic federal union.

Turning to the issue of displaced persons from the Rakhine state of Myanmar, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN said that since India shares a long border with both Myanmar and Bangladesh, New Delhi has the highest stake in resolving the issue of repatriation of the displaced persons.

“We have continued to counsel our partners on the need for a balanced and constructive approach to this issue. For this, the mobilisation of support for the developmental needs of the local people is crucial. India has been continuously encouraging stakeholders to find practical and pragmatic solutions,” the Indian envoy to the UN submitted.

Calling for an early resolution of the issue of displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar, the Indian Ambassador to the UN said that we need to ensure that the recent developments in Myanmar do not impede the progress made so far.
“The international community must encourage and support positive steps,” the Ambassador added.

Commending Bangladesh for hosting a million displaced persons in its territory, he urged the international community to recognize and understand the humanitarian burden that Bangladesh continues to face and the efforts it has undertaken to ensure the well-being of the displaced persons.

Recounting the support India has been providing even during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Tirumurti told the UN that New Delhi is providing medical aid to both Myanmar and Bangladesh, including the supply of vaccines.

India has so far provided 3.7 million doses of vaccines to Myanmar and 9 million doses to Bangladesh. Reiterating that India’s commitment to its neighbours remains steadfast, Ambassador Tirumurti said India will continue to play a constructive role.