Sino-Myanmar Military Cooperation and its Implications for India

China is emerging as the closest strategic partner of Myanmar. This has been advanced by politico-military assistance followed by economic and energy cooperation. Besides, Myanmar is becoming strategically significant for India for strengthening its economic links with South East Asia; for acquiring energy resources and from the security perspective. The Sino-Myanmar military cooperation which started with the negotiation of purchase of arms including jet fighters, armoured vehicles and naval vessels has gone much deeper. It has brought the Chinese to India’s eastern flank with the upgradation of infrastructure like dams, bridges, roads and ports as well as electronic-intelligence and maritime reconnaissance facilities. Further, the Sino-Myanmar military cooperation designed to achieve their objective of extending their military capability up to the Indian Ocean. This poses an acute security threat for India and South Asia in general. Nevertheless, since the Chinese influence has come to dominate the politico-military functioning of Myanmar, the country is looking to balance China by enhancing economic cooperation with India and other regional formations.