Situation in Myanmar was a key item on the agenda of Quad Foreign Ministers meet hosted by Australia in Melbourne. At a joint press interaction following the meet the four Foreign were asked about the discussions that they had regarding Myanmar as the United States has imposed fresh actions on Myanmar.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar stated that they will continue to support the countries that are part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in their effort to uphold peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region, adding that their centrality is important to recognise. However outlining India’s position in no uncertain terms, he affirmed that India has specific concerns about insurgency with regard to Myanmar and that is does not “follow a policy of national sanctions”.
Myanmar is India’s gateway to SE Asia and cross-border insurgency besides growing footprints of China and Pakistan in Myanmar are challenges for India’s security calculus. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his part said, “We did discuss Myanmar; the junta is doubling down.”
The Quad…
