India to help in Myanmar reconciliation

NEW DELHI, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The U.N. special envoy to Myanmar reportedly has been assured by India it will seek to play a constructive role to help resolve the crisis in Myanmar.

Ibrahim Gambari, who stopped in India on his Asia tour to urge governments in the continent to take a tougher role against the military regime in Myanmar, said in New Delhi he was “very satisfied” by India’s response, The New York Times reported.

An Indian foreign ministry statement said as a “close and friendly neighbor,” India has “multidimensional linkages with Myanmar” which require any initiative on its part to be mindful of the need for a peaceful and stable Myanmar, The Times reported.

“India will continue to play a constructive and positive role, along with like-minded countries, to this end,” the statement added.

Both India and China have been criticized for not speaking out more openly during the Myanmar junta’s brutal crackdown last month on those protesting its rule.

The Times said India, whose demand for energy has grown with its economic boom, has been eyeing Myanmar’s ample natural gas resources. Indian diplomats told The Times privately the country also needs Myanmar government’s help in fighting the border anti-Indian insurgency.