Slowly, it appears, Myanmar has embraced the concept of democracy — at its own pace and in its own style. Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been released after years under house arrest and has taken her place in the nation’s fledgling parliament. And the Nobel Peace Prize winner has also been granted a passport and allowed to leave the once-reclusive junta state on two foreign visits.
Over the past six months, a virtual who’s who list of international leaders and diplomats have beaten a path to Yangon for talks with President Thein Sein, eager to at least signal that attitudes are changing towards Myanmar’s new-found enthusiasm for reform.
The latest is Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will try to bolster closer ties, boost trade and build on energy links between the two nations.
But in their years of isolation and sanctions by the international community, the ruling generals of Myanmar managed to build close ties with China. Last year, Yangon did business worth $8.3 billion with Beijing and $189 million with New Delhi — a clear indication of China’s lead and of the groundwork that needs to be done by Singh in playing catchup.
Despite all of the high-profile visits, Myanmar’s reforms still have a long way to go.
