India accused of supplying military equipment to Myanmar junta
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Justice for Myanmar, a group of activists dedicated to exposing war crimes in Myanmar, has accused India of supplying military equipment to the air wing of Myanmar's military government. According to their claims, as many as 52 items resembling components for automatic weather stations (AWS) were shipped by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to Myanmar in January 2024.
The group's press note, released on March 27, also revealed that Indian Air Force personnel were deployed to Myanmar in December 2023 to install meteorological instruments. These allegations come amidst mounting accusations against India of aiding and abetting atrocities committed by the Myanmar junta through the continued transfer of military equipment.
The situation has drawn concern from neighbouring countries as well. Following Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's visit to Bangladesh in February, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud expressed shared concerns over the ongoing conflict between Myanmar's military and ethnic armed organizations. This conflict is particularly worrying for both countries due to their extensive borders with Myanmar.
In response to the escalating crisis, India recently announced its decision to halt the Free Movement Regime (FMR) understanding with Myanmar. This move indicates a shift in India's approach towards its neighbour in light of the worsening situation.
Justice for Myanmar has called on India to immediately cease all transfers of arms, equipment, technology, and fuel to the Myanmar military and to end all military training activities. The group has also identified 10 Indian public sector units (PSUs) under the Ministry of Defence that have been supplying goods to the junta, specifically to its air force.
According to the press note, Myanmar's military has increasingly relied on its air force to suppress opposition forces as it loses control of territory to ethnic resistance organizations and people's defence forces. The group cited independent assessments indicating that the military conducted over 750 airstrikes in the last four months of 2023 alone, averaging six airstrikes per day. These airstrikes have been indiscriminate, resulting in civilian casualties, including children, and the destruction of entire communities.
India's role in supplying arms and equipment to Myanmar has come under scrutiny, with Justice for Myanmar ranking it as the third-largest supplier after Russia and China. The group accuses India of supporting the junta's campaign of terror following the military's coup in February 2021, which was met with widespread opposition from the people of Myanmar.
In light of these revelations, Justice for Myanmar has called on governments and companies with business ties to the Indian military and defence industry to use their influence to urge a ban on all support for the Myanmar junta.
