Myanmar : a state with India and China fighting for influence | World Defense

Myanmar : a state with India and China fighting for influence

Jaeger

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I am writing this from an opinion sort of view, not an article but I'd like to have a decent conversation on this. any thoughts, information would also be greatly appreciated.
China has some serious and stronger cooperation with Myanmar compared to India, although China and Myanmar did have a short border stand off in 2014 after the PLA, some say a J-11 some say an HQ-9 fired and shot down a Burmese MiG-29 Fulcrum that was chasing rebel insurgents into China. moving a few years forward after that incident Chinese leader Xi, met with Burmese officials and created the Chinese-Myanmar Economic Corridor also more commonly known as the CMEC. during the first of the signing, China is suppose to help either construct or finance or a mix of both on these 6 major economic projects: Kyaukphyu Deep Sea Port, Muse-Mandalay railway project, New Yangon Development Project, Myitstone Hydropower Project, and the Kyaukphyu-Kunming Railway Project.

following these major economic signings, Burmese military officers went to China to inspect the Z-10 helicopter as a replacement to the Mi-24/35 Hinds they operate and rumours also indicate Myanmar was looking at acquiring the SY-400, HQ-9 and J-10 as a bolster to their armed forces. the procurement of the SY-400 would rattle neighbors such as Bangladesh and India, but this not the first time Myanmar looked into missile technology, back in the 2008-2011 period, Myanmar hired North Korean missile experts to help develop a production facility so Myanmar could manufacture the Hwasong-6 missile domestically, some sources claim Myanmar has roughly 10 in service but no solid evidence ever been provided.

India has had relations with Myanmar, but this is the first time India really looked into turning the relations into a solid structured friendship. India provided Myanmar with a $1 Million loan to help finance the Thathay Chaung Hydropower Project. India also signed a major economic pact with Myanmar which included the Sitwe-Gaya gas pipeline, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, the Sittwe economic zone which is to rival China's Kyaukphyu project, and a number of highway projects.
India, although not as large provider as China is, India has supplied Myanmar with 10 MPV MRAP vehicles, technology on how to manufacture the Carl-Gustav recoilless rifles domestically. India is also looking at selling Myanmar more armored vehicles and warships in the future.
 
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Zhengzhou

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impressive my friend.
however both China and India both have their own influences in Myanmar. for instance we always supported Myanmar when others would not and we also provided them technology like you said. however due Myanmar trying to move away from the Junta and becoming more democratic, our relationship has somewhat been on the strain and we been distancing ourselves away from the Burmese for the last few years. and yes you are right there has been several occasions where Burmese officials came and inspected the J-10, Z-10 and HQ-9. in fact the navalized HHQ-9 is suppose to become Myanmar's Surface to Air Missile for their major warships as well as eyeing the basic HQ-9 for their air defence network. in the last few years timing China-Myanmar signed the supply of 4 KS-1 Batteries, 28 K-8s with kits provided to be built in Myanmar, and some unofficial sources claim Myanmar was a customer for the FTC-2000G. aside from the mentioned equipment, Myanmar is looking to acquire 2 Submarines and currently Burmese naval sailors and officers inspected the Type 039A.

India on the other hand tends to see Myanmar as a strategic economic partner trying to beat out our influence from Myanmar, however India for does not have enough economic capabilities to completely kick China out just yet, they are moving towards weapon systems and conducting joint military exercises. remember India-Myanmar also both conducted a joint military op and Myanmar granted access to India so they can conduct a surgical strike against Maoist insurgents plaguing the Burmese-Indo border region.
 

Jaeger

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who implemented stronger economic projects in Myanmar? I am assuming it must be China
 

Zhengzhou

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China obviously, we helped them throughout the years with technology and invested heavy economics in their country, however Myanmar tends to go for whoever is going to offer them either more political backing or more money.
That is the reason why so many Burmese are eyeing India currently is do to the fact that the Indians are starting to help their defence industries grow as well as helping them invest in road infrastructures, oil/gas lines and so much more.
but remember there was also that small couple month period where Myanmar wanted to get Europe to reopen their trade agreements with Myanmar, that's why they elected that new president, even though she is taking orders from the Junta behind closed doors
 

Jaeger

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so to understand this because Burmese politics always confuse me is this
China heavily invests more into the Burmese defence sector compared to India, while India invests more heavy into their economics?
 

Zhengzhou

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so to understand this because Burmese politics always confuse me is this
China heavily invests more into the Burmese defence sector compared to India, while India invests more heavy into their economics?
exactly. however India is somewhat starting to get involved in the defence sector. these last couple years Burmese soldiers train jointly with Indian soldiers, officials inspected and put interest in some Indian made vehicles and India helped them manufacture equipment such as Carl Gustavs under license.
but with Myanmar it is not like Afghanistan like the Indians believe politically, Myanmar still has closer ties with then they do with India.
India economically only invested in 10+ major road projects, 1-2 railway projects, 1 gas pipeline and now a Special economic zone.

while as compared to China we have built a pipeline jointly, invested in 2 Hydropower plants, 1-2 railway projects, a special economic zone, constructed roads in certain spots of Myanmar as well as putting financial developments into Yangon, building Hospitals, Schools and much more.

India just wants to counter CMEC due to the fact the Burmese are a geo-political strategic state for India, basically they wanted Myanmar to help counter Bangladesh, similar to how they are using both Afghanistan & Iran to counter Pakistan
 
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