India under pressure to engage with Myanmar junta, rebels amid refugee influx from border fighting
- It will benefit India to have a ‘working relationship’ with the resistance groups as the security situation along the border continues to deteriorate, analysts say
- The disruption of Myanmar-China trade routes is also a sign that Beijing should work with anti-regime actors amid its crackdown on scam centres along the border
The “blowing up” of the situation and the disruption of Myanmar-China trade routes is also a sign that while Beijing is using armed groups to tackle scam centres in the border areas, it should also work with anti-regime actors, experts said.
Heavy fighting erupted earlier this week between the rebels and the junta in Chin state across the border from Zokhawthar, a village of around 600 households, in India’s Mizoram state.
The junta lost control of some areas after rebels belonging mainly to the Chin National Front seized two military posts. India shares a 1,643km border with Myanmar, and is home to thousands of Myanmar refugees in different states.
According to United Nations estimates, India hosts over 74,600 refugees from Myanmar, with an estimated 54,100 arriving since the coup. About 5,000 had fled since the heavy fighting in western Chin state.
Pointing to the “unique resilience” of the resistance forces, Akash Sahu, an analyst in Indo-Pacific geopolitics and independent policy consultant, said the influx of refugees would continue and was likely to increase in the near future.