Neighbouring China, India, Thailand and Bangladesh

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Myanmar’s four neighbouring countries are all critical players and stakeholders in the country’s ethnic politics. Sharing a porous border with the same ethnic populations living on both sides means that Myanmar’s ethnic problems also affects them. The Myanmar government’s policies regarding the peace process will influence the stability of the border for its neighbors. Some of these influences include: refugees/IDPs, drug trafficking and economic development.

China: Yunnan officials and intelligence agents maintain close, but largely informal, contacts with some of the ethnic armed groups, namely the Kachin (KIO), Wa (UWSA), Kokang (MNDAA) and Mongla (NDAA-ESS). China plays a crucial role in ensuring and providing for both the livelihood and survival of these groups e.g. economic assistance, trading, provision of electricity, water and telecommunications and unofficially accepting refugees.

Thailand: Thailand similarly maintain close contact with border militia groups (RCSS/SSA, KNU, KNPP and NMSP) through local authorities and intelligence agents. The country also hosts a large population of refugees and migrant workers from Myanmar. Currently Thailand is developing special economic zones, large industrial projects and roads through the ethnic areas both along the country’s border and neighboring Myanmar.

India: India is working closely with the Myanmar government to fight against its northeast insurgent groups. The country has complained that insurgents continue to launch attacks against the Indian army from bases inside Myanmar. India is also developing better economic relations with Myanmar by opening free trade zones, building roads and investment projects like the Sittwe port in Rakhine state and Tamanthi dam in Sagaing Division.

Bangladesh: In comparison to Myanmar’s other neighbors, Bangladesh doesn’t maintain close ties with border militia groups. The country has accepted many Muslim Rohingyas in the past. But they closed their border during the sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims in Arakan state in June and October of 2012, despite UN requests to provide them refuge. Bangladesh would like to develop a special economic zone on the border but the Myanmar government have not complied with their proposal.

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