India watches closely as China’s Xi Jinping visits Myanmar with new prospects.
China eyes for new doors as its President Xi Jinping visits Myanmar on Friday. The two-day visit of China’s Jinping comes after the rising tensions between Myanmar and India over the Rohingya refugee crisis. President Jinping is also the first Chinese leader to visit the neighbour in 19 years.
Myanmar has been vigilant in making trade deals with China in the past. Unlike Sri Lanka, Myanmar does not want to fall in debt of China over projects of development and infrastructure.
India and Myanmar have maintained strong defence relations as New Delhi has major interests in its neighbour. With Xi’s visit, an opportunity of new and even wider market might improve the bilateral ties between Myanmar and China. Beijing’s interest in encircling the waters of Bay of Bengal will be under New Delhi’s close radar.
Xi’s visit will boost investments in trade, infrastructure and tourism. Chinese President Jinping is set to meet with Myanmar’s Aung Suu Kyi today. Both the countries have faced criticism from the UN over their treatment of the minority Muslim community- Uighurs in China and Rohingyas in Myanmar.
