India, China, others engage Myanmar as Junta's losing streak continues

With Myanmar’s ruling junta continuing to lose ground to the most powerful rebel group, Arakan Army, in the Rakhine and Chin states, both sharing boundaries with India, officials from several neighbouring countries recently held consultations with the representatives of the military regime in Bangkok.

According to reports, Arakan Army captured the military regime’s western command headquarters in Ann town of Rakhine state on Friday. In Chin state, nearly 200 military personnel have surrendered, rebels claimed.

The junta continues to hold on to Sittwe, capital of Rakhine state, and home to a port in Bay of Bengal built by India. The junta may use its air power if Arakan Army attempts to take over Sittwe, strategically significant for both junta and India. Chinese Private Military Company personnel are reportedly protecting Rakhine’s KyauPhyu port, built by Beijing as part of China Myanmar Economic Corridor.

At the Bangkok meeting, officials from India, China, Bangladesh, Thailand “agreed that direct engagement with Myanmar is critical and necessary”, said Thailand’s foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Myanmar foreign minister Than Swe informed the gathering about the military government’s political roadmap, including elections planned for next year.