India’s dilemma – gas or democracy? Burmese minister promises India Shwe Gas Project but can India really deal with a regime that has little regard for human rights?
Kiran Chaube
Oct. 22, 2005

Burmese minister visits India as agitated Burmese pro-democracy activists call on India and America for restoration of democracy in Burma.

Does India prefer gas to democracy and human rights? India must decide which way it wants to go says Burmese pro-democracy agitators. Shwe Gas Project in Burma will bring a huge natural gas reserve from Burma to India. But India who preaches and practices democracy and human right must decide – gas or democracy.

The Burmese deputy foreign minister, Kyaw Thu, is leading a five-member delegation from the Burmese Foreign Ministry on a four-day visit to India.

His meetings in New Delhi with Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, began on Wednesday and will end on Friday. Mr Kyaw Thu served the Burmese military junta as its ambassador to India from 2001 to 2003. Burmese activists have asked India to use Burma's fledgling relationship with the United States to push for the restoration of democracy in Burma.

"As the largest and the oldest democracies in the world, India and the United States must put pressure on the Burmese military regime to restore democracy. India must work with the international agencies in general and the United Nations in particular, to accelerate the democratisation process in Burma. A democratic Burma will deliver long-term benefits to India," said a Burmese pro-democracy activist.

Mr Kyaw Thu, who is the son of former Burmese President Maung Maung, discussed matters of bilateral interest besides regional and international cooperation issues.

His visit comes close on the heels of the 14 October demonstrations to mark the "International Day of Action Global Call to Action against the Shwe Gas Project in Burma." This gas will be sold to India.

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