JFM urges New Delhi to ban transfer of arms, technology, fuel to Junta

Jonathan, Narinjara News, 19 May 2024 (Photo by The Wire)

Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has urged India to immediately ban the transfer of all arms, associated technology & equipment and fuel to the Myanmar military junta and also cease all military training.  

The governments and companies, which have business relationships with the Indian military and defense industry, should use their leverage to urge a ban on all support for the unta, said JFM in a statement issued on 16 May.

Mentionable is that the Indian government in New Delhi has been actively inviting members of the junta for various defense related events and training programs.

A recent statement from India’s defense ministry revealed that more than 1000 cadets, including 21 from ‘friendly foreign countries’ participated in a graduation ceremony of Indian cadets on 30 November 2023.

According to the statement, cadets from Myanmar were also present on the occasion.

Myanmar navy chief later participated in Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) hosted by the Indian navy under the auspices of the Naval War College, Goa.

Make in India Exhibition, which was organized alongside the conclave as part of India’s Atma Nirbharta initiative, aimed  to showcase the country's domestic shipbuilding industry.

In June 2023, Indian defence secretary Giridhar Aramane paid an official visit to Myanmar and held discussions with the coup leader and war criminal Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw.

He also met junta’s western-sanctioned defence minister Mya Tun Oo and discussed with Myanmar navy head Moe Aung and defence industry chief Khan Myint Than.

India's military cooperation with Myanmar follows a consistent trend of support, particularly notable during and after the military's clearance operations against the Rohingya population. Many examples of this cooperation can be mentioned like in 2020, a tabletop exercise involving the Indian and Myanmar air forces was organised in Prayagraj (India).

Similarly in  2018, a mobile training team consisting of seven officers and two sailors was dispatched to Myanmar for three months to train 60 Myanmar soldiers on shipyard management, logistics and engineering (said Indian defence ministry’s own account).

Moreover, New Delhi  hosted  India Myanmar Bilateral Army Exercises (IMBAX) in 2017 and 2019. In 2017, India conducted a tailored four-week training program on low intensity counter offensive for 35 Myanmar military personnel at the counter insurgency and jungle warfare school in Vairengte, as part of the defense cooperation initiatives.