India has extended invitations to political and military opponents of Myanmar's ruling junta for a seminar in New Delhi, according to sources. This marks a notable move by India, a nation that has maintained relations with Myanmar’s top generals, who have been largely isolated by Western countries.

The civil war in Myanmar, triggered by a military coup in February 2021 that ousted an elected civilian government, now threatens to destabilize India’s 1,650-km (1,025-mile) border with Myanmar and disrupt key infrastructure projects in the region.

A leader of an armed group and two sources familiar with the situation revealed that the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic minority rebels from Myanmar’s Chin, Rakhine, and Kachin states—areas bordering India—have been invited to the seminar, set for mid-November.

The seminar will be hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), a government-funded think tank whose council includes Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, according to two other sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the event.

The seminar will focus on "Constitutionalism and Federalism," but it remains unclear whether Myanmar’s military government has also been invited. Following the 2021 coup, widespread protests in Myanmar have evolved into an armed resistance, with ethnic minority groups and resistance fighters controlling significant portions of the country.

The junta has refused to enter into dialogue with the rebels, whom it describes as "terrorists".

BOB Post