India needs to closely monitor Chinese inroads into Myanmar: CDS

NEW DELHI: India needs to closely monitor the emerging situation in Myanmar, where China is making further inroads after international sanctions were imposed on the country after the military coup in February, chief of defence staff General Bipin Rawat said on Saturday.

“The BRI (belt and road initiative) of China to build roads, rails and energy corridors is bound to get further impetus with the sanctions on Myanmar,” said Gen Rawat, speaking at a webinar on the “Opportunities and Challenges in North East India” organized by the Indian Military Review here.

The country’s senior-most military officer said “return of normalcy” in Myanmar would augur well for the region, especially India, because of “our historical and cultural linkages” with the country.