Myanmar-India Relations (1948–1962)
Myanmar and India share deep historical, ethnic, cultural, and religious ties. Their
diplomatic relations were officially established on January 4, 1948, when Myanmar gained
independence. Since then, successive Myanmar governments have maintained friendly
relations with India, working to resolve outstanding issues between the two nations.
In the early years of independence, Myanmar’s Prime Minister U Nu and India’s
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had a strong personal friendship, which played a crucial
role in shaping their foreign policies. Both countries faced similar international challenges,
including the Cold War and the rise of Chinese communism. As a result, they adopted a
policy of Non-Alignment (NA) in global affairs. Their commitment to peaceful coexistence
and mutual cooperation led to the signing of various treaties and agreements, strengthening
their diplomatic ties.
Early Treaties and Economic Collaboration
One of the earliest and most significant agreements between Myanmar and India was
the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1951, which fostered cooperation and mutual respect.
On September 29, 1951, the two countries signed a Commercial Agreement, marking a step
toward stronger economic relations. Myanmar and India worked together to develop trade
and economic collaboration, reinforcing their diplomatic bond.
Challenges and Disagreements
Despite the warm relationship between U Nu and Nehru, there were certain
disagreements. One major issue was related to Indian immigrants in Myanmar. U Nu’s
government implemented a land nationalization policy in 1948, which significantly affected
Indian businesses and communities in Myanmar. This created tensions between the two
governments.
Another key issue arose with the Sino-Myanmar Boundary Treaty in 1960. India was
concerned about the tri-junction point depicted in the map attached to the treaty, as it had
implications for India's territorial integrity. This created misunderstandings between
Myanmar and India.
Additionally, security concerns affected their relations. In 1961, Naga rebels from
India, seeking refuge in Myanmar, carried out hostile operations against India. In response,
the Myanmar government took strict action against the insurgents, reinforcing their
commitment to maintaining friendly relations with India.
Continued Cooperation Despite Challenges
Despite these issues, Myanmar and India continued to maintain diplomatic ties. Their
foreign policies focused on trade and economic collaboration, and both governments made
efforts to reestablish warm relations through goodwill visits.Their cooperation extended to
security and border agreements. The two countries signed the Indo-Myanmar Boundary
Agreement in March 1967 and the Bilateral Trade Agreement in May 1970, further
strengthening their diplomatic and economic ties.
Conclusion
From 1948 to 1962, Myanmar-India relations were largely defined by the personal
friendship between U Nu and Nehru, which fostered close diplomatic and economic
collaboration. While there were challenges, including immigration policies, boundary
disputes, and security issues, both nations remained committed to peaceful coexistence and
mutual cooperation. This period laid the foundation for future diplomatic engagements,
despite the shifts in Myanmar’s policies after 1962.
