India’s cautious reaction to trial of Aung San Suu Kyi

While people across the world have condemned Myanmar for the illegal detention and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, India has come out with a wishywashy statement which does not condemn the ruling military junta.

New Delhi, been originally an ardent supporter of the pro democracy movement, changed track around 1992, when the then prime minister Narasimha Rao felt China was making inroads into neighbouring Myanmar and gaining strategic depth right on India’s door step in its sensitive north eastern border.

Since then, New Delhi has become a major ally of the military junta and refrained from publicly criticising its policies.

On Tuesday, India gently nudged Yangon to hurry up with its political reform and national reconciliation process. Democratic India’s response has been disappointing.

“We have maintained that this process should be broad based, including the various ethnic groups. In this context, the issue of release of political prisoners will no doubt receive due attention,” the official statement said.