GUWAHATI, Oct 17 - Myanmar is coming closer to India in recent times and the Army of that country has promised to launch an all-out attack against the militants of the North East after the general elections in that country, scheduled for November 8. This assurance from the Myanmar Army came during the recent visit of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), RN Ravi, to Myanmar.
Highly placed sources in the Government of India told The Assam Tribune that during their visit to Myanmar, the NSA and JIC held detailed talks with the Army Chief of Myanmar and expressed India�s concern over the presence of North East militants in that country�s territory. The Myanmar Army Chief assured that they would not allow the militants from India to launch anti-India activities and asserted that an all-out offensive would be launched immediately after the general elections.
Sources said that Myanmar is keen on changing its image and that is why, the NSA and JIC of India as well as representatives of China, Japan, Bhutan, United Nations and European Union were invited to attend the function to sign a national ceasefire agreement between the Government of Myanmar and eight militant groups of that country.
The sources revealed that the NSCN (K) was not allowed to sign the agreement as the outfit did not give the undertaking of not indulging in anti-India activities. The Myanmar Government has also assured that the militant groups, which did not sign the agreement, would be declared unlawful. Any political party found to be maintaining links with such outfits will also be declared unlawful.
Giving details as to how Myanmar is coming closer to India in recent times, the sources said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen on improving ties with all the neighbours and he made it clear that diplomacy should not be restricted to words and the neighbours should be given all necessary financial and other help. Moreover, Myanmar, which was closer to China than to India for years, had some problems with China over the activities of some militant groups in the Northern Province of that country.
Sources revealed that recently, the Myanmar Army launched an offensive against the militants in the Northern Province, but three Chinese nationals were killed in the shelling. China took the matter seriously and went for a huge build-up along the area which, according to Myanmar, was uncalled for as the Myanmar Army did not kill the Chinese nationals intentionally. Moreover, the Myanmar Government believes that some militants of the Northern Province were receiving direct or indirect help from China, the sources added.
