India Concerned Over Chinese Military Presence on Myanmar Soil
India has inquired with the Myanmar military about whether there is a Chinese military base on Myanmar’s Coco Island and requested to send an Indian inspection team to visit the island. In response to this inquiry, the military council stated that there is absolutely no deployment of Chinese troops on Coco Island and did not accept the request to allow an Indian inspection team to visit the island. [1]
While India cannot confirm whether Chinese military stations are present on Coco Island, satellite records show that infrastructure projects on the island have expanded significantly over the previous years. India’s main concern is that if Chinese radar systems are installed on Coco Island, they would be able to track Indian naval movements in the region and monitor missile testing activities.
India’s Secretary for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Mr. Chanchal Kumar, stated that they hope to complete the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway within the next few years. Although the IMT highway is an infrastructure project with high expectations from the Indian government, practical implementation has been delayed due to Myanmar’s political crisis. The IMT highway will be 1,360 kilometers long and will connect from Moreh city in Manipur state, India, through Myanmar to Mae Sot city in Thailand. [2]
Myanmar Junta’s Election Issue Dominates ASEAN and Inter-Parliamentary Union
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan visited Naypyidaw on October 9, according to decisions from the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and met with coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.
During the meeting, they discussed cessation of violence, increasing humanitarian assistance, and meeting with all stakeholders involved in Myanmar’s situation from the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. They also discussed Myanmar’s election scheduled to be held by the military dictatorship in December, according to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry. [3]
However, the military council’s statement said that they discussed sending election observation teams to Myanmar during the meeting with the Malaysian Foreign Minister. Regarding sending election observation teams to Myanmar, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan noted that it must be further discussed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting and there is no consensus among ASEAN countries on this matter. [4]
ASEAN parliamentarians attending the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU) held in Geneva, Switzerland, urged the international community not to recognize the election to be held by the military council.
Mercy Chriesty Barends, Chair of the ASEAN Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, stated that the election to be held by the military council is a sham and will not be free and fair for all Myanmar people. Additionally, Malaysian parliamentarian Wong Chen also stated that he will request the Malaysian Foreign Ministry not to send election observers to Myanmar. [5]
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is composed of national-level parliaments from over 180 countries worldwide. They recognized the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) as the main interlocutor after Myanmar’s military coup in 2021.
UN Condemns Airstrike on Bon To Village
The United Nations condemned the airstrike by the military on a village in Chaung-U Township, Sagaing Region. UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that the Chaung-U Township airstrike further confirms the military junta’s deliberate attacks on civilians. He said all parties involved in the conflict need to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. [6]
Furthermore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren also commented that the election plan to hold by the military council is not credible and the EU will not send observation teams. [7]
The UN further urged all neighboring countries, including ASEAN countries, to push for a change of course on Myanmar’s situation. [8]
[1] Myanmar tells India: No Chinese on Coco Islands Hindustin Times၊ 10 Oct 2025
[2] India hopeful end is near for trilateral highway build, Bangkok Post ,15 Oct 2025
[3] Malaysian Foreign Minister meets with military leader, discusses cessation of violence, Myanmar Now, 10 October 2025
[4]ASEAN rejects military council’s election, will not send observation teams, People’s Spring, 10 October 2025
[5] ASEAN parliamentarians urge not to recognize military council’s election, People’s Spring, 17 October 2025
[6] UN condemns airstrike on Chaung-U Township, Burma VJ, 6 October 2025
[7] ASEAN parliamentarians urge not to recognize military council’s election, People’s Spring, 17 October 2025
[8] EU urges ASEAN to push for change in Myanmar, Thanlwin times, 18 October 2025