Preet Malik - My Myanmar Years

The paucity of writings on our interests in and about relations with Myanmar makes this a timely book, and Ambassador Preet Mohan Singh Malik is eminently qualified to write it by virtue of his knowledge and experience.

He has done justice to the subject.

Myanmar's importance stems from the long land and maritime border it shares with India and the resultant convergence of security interests between neighbours. A relevant backdrop is provided by Myanmar's earlier political ties with British India as also from the deeper cultural affiliations emanating from the spread of Theravada Buddhism.

History records that in recent times the leaders of the freedom movements in our two countries were in close touch with each other. This found an early reflection in the 1951 Treaty of Friendship.

The geographic location of Myanmar makes it an important component of India's Act East Policy. Provision of connectivity to the region is one aspect of it; equally relevant is the enormous potential of mutually beneficial economic co-operation. While Myanmar can be a source of energy and material sources for us, India's burgeoning markets provide an easy outlet for Myanmar's produce, especially agricultural products. We have the capacity, and are increasingly developing to become a provider of industrial wherewithal, technology and investments.

India and Myanmar can thus usher in a new era of co-prosperity in the region. More than ever before, therefore, we need to understand better the dynamics of change now underway in Myanmar.

I am confident that this book will contribute meaningfully to this endeavour.

M. Hamid Ansari

Vice President of India