China’s Influence in Myanmar and Implications for India

Abstract

After the event of March 2011 in Myanmar, the quasi-civilian government’s suspension of China’s big investment projects was considered as evidence for the decline of China’s influence which had been strongly dominant since 1989. The paper argues that besides the dependence on China in terms of economic development and military relations, Myanmar also needs the Chinese support in its peace negotiations with ethnic armed groups and in dealing with Rohingya problem. The pressure posed by the West after the February coup has made Myanmar move closer to China. China’s outstanding influence in Myanmar has posed challenges to India. By using multidisciplinary discourse analyses, this article shows why China has kept its prominent influence in Myanmar since March 2011, how it impacts on India. The article uses historical methodology, in combination with interdisciplinary methods such as comparative analysis, and generalisation. Major sources for the paper include the texts of statements among states, speeches by political leaders, Myanmar Statistical Yearbooks, published articles and books.