Mainstream Weekly

A New Role for India in Myanmar

Sonu Trivedi — 2013-09-22T19:27:51Z

Given the transition taking place in Myanmar from authoritarianism to democracy in the midst of ongoing communal and ethnic violence on the one hand and reform initiatives by the new regime on the other, the Indian mission in Myanmar faces immense challenges as well as opportunities. How well it is going to capitalise on these opportunities and ward off challenges is going to have a wide-ranging impact on the future of India-Myanmar relations. However, the chore is not free from caveat. The (…)

- 2013

Impasse in Myanmar

Sonu Trivedi — 2010-06-01T13:24:08Z

Multi-party elections, as announced by the junta, to be held later this year raises hopes for ending the impasse in Myanmar. The pro-democracy activists and ethnic nationalities leaders are now awaiting the elections due this year. The elections, though, might just be a farce as it would adopt the new Constitution as drafted by the National Convention. With the results of the referendum held in May 2008 and 92.4 per cent votes in favour of the Constitution, the military is set to switch (…)

- 2010

Myanmar's Silent Revolution

Sonu Trivedi — 2007-10-16T12:30:33Z

The Burmese social and political structure, based on paternalistic authority, is inconsistent with democracy's reliance on equality of opportunity, freedom of speech and assembly, and representative institutions. With its emphasis on hierarchy and status, the Burmese political culture is not conducive to democracy. For almost all of its history, Burma has been ruled by autocratic monarchs and military leaders. Burma's only experience with democracy was a short period under the 1947 (…)

- October 13, 2007