The government of India may have overstepped the boundaries of hospitality by ensuring that the red carpet laid out for Myanmar's visiting reclusive military ruler, Than Shwe, was longer then expected.
The Indian authorities should have paid more cognisance to the fact that the visiting dignitary's formal visit is shrouded in controversy given Myanmar's abject human-rights record. This was also reflected by the protests from human-rights groups.
The junta chief has attained particular notoriety given that he personally oversaw the ruthless suppression of pro-democracy protests led by Myanmar's monks in 2007. What made his visit more ironic was the fact that he took time off to lay a wreath at the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi, a global icon who championed the policy of non-violence.
Myanmar has been reduced to a pariah in the world of civilised nations but India sees it as a strategic partner given the proximity of China to both countries. The Indian authorities must, however, ensure that they don't collectively cut off their nose to spite their face given that Myanmar's junta had once ordered the expulsion of its Indian community, as well as its aversion to democratic reforms.
While India's foreign policy is aimed at increasing its participation and influence in south-east Asia to counter China's rapid ascendancy, it must choose its partners with care or risk being tainted by doing business with a country that has negligible tolerance for democracy.
The oil and gas fields in the Arakan are, however, proving to be too tempting for the Indian government. But here too it will have to beat off competition from China and Thailand when it comes to wanting control — but at what cost?
It is to India's detriment when it extends its patronage to Myanmar on any platform. This could cloud global perception of how and who India does business with.
