India's and China's Geopolitical Engagements in Myanmar
International Relations
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Understanding India's foreign policy objectives (Act East Policy, neighborhood first), regional power dynamics, strategic competition, and the impact of external actors on internal conflicts.
Myanmar's strategic location and internal dynamics make it a crucial arena for geopolitical competition and cooperation, particularly for neighboring powers like India and China, who have significant economic, security, and strategic interests in the country.
Facts & tables
- China's Shifting Stance
- Initially enabled ethnic armies, later pressured for ceasefires to protect border stability and economic corridor (e.g., China-Myanmar Economic Corridor).
- India's Re-engagement Strategy
- Wary of China's outsized influence, seeking to revive stalled connectivity projects (e.g., Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project) and secure access to rare earths.
- ASEAN's Regional Role
- Attempts at mediation and seeking access to political prisoners, reflecting broader regional concerns about stability.
- Strategic Resources
- Competition for resources like rare earths and control over key trade routes.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | External Sector & Capital Flows |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| ASEAN | Regional grouping influencing engagement |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- Myanmar's strategic importance for India (Act East) and China (BRI).
- China's influence on ethnic armed groups and shift towards junta stability.
- India's balancing act: engaging junta to counter China, secure projects.
- ASEAN's diplomatic efforts in the region.
- Competition for resources like rare earths.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Cause and effect relationships |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2014 | Factual recall |
Timeline
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External Sector & Capital Flows
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Cause and effect relationships
-
Aung San Suu Kyi | A symbol of resistance
India and China navigate complex geopolitical interests in Myanmar, with China balancing border stability and economic corridors, and India countering Chinese influence while pursuing connectivity and resource access.
See also
Past papers
2014–2024 · 8 questions
In the news
Aung San Suu Kyi | A symbol of resistance
India and China navigate complex geopolitical interests in Myanmar, with China balancing border stability and economic corridors, and India countering Chinese influence while pursuing connectivity and resource access.
Try these PYQs
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.
India is a member of which of the following?
1. Asia-Pacific economic corporation.
2. Association of South-East Asian Nations.
3. East Asia Summit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): India is not a member of APEC. Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN): India is not a member of ASEAN, but it is a part of ASEAN6. East Asia Summit: India is a member of the East Asia Summit. Therefore, out of the given options, India is only a member of the East Asia Summit.
Consider the following pairs:
Country - Important reason for being in the news recently
1. Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China.
2. Guinea – Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon – Severe and prolonged economic depression
4. Tunisia – Suspension of Parliament by President
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched. China has not established any permanent military base in Chad. Pair 2 is correctly matched. Guinean special forces staged a coup, captured President Alpha Conde, replaced governors with the military, and dissolved the constitution and National Assembly. Pair 3 is correctly matched. Lebanon has been experiencing a severe and prolonged economic depression since 2019, driven by political instability, inadequate reforms, and systemic corruption. The economic crisis has affected approximately 74% of the population. Pair 4 is correctly matched. Tunisian President Kais Saied dissolved the suspended parliament after lawmakers held an online meeting and voted to repeal presidential decrees. He called it a failed coup attempt.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement I is correct: Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have established diplomatic relations with Israel. * Statement II is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative, mediated by Saudi Arabia, was endorsed by the Arab League but not signed by Israel. It outlines a path towards peace in exchange for Israeli concessions, but Israel has not formally accepted all its terms.
Community sometimes mentioned in the news In the affairs of
1. Kurd: Bangladesh
2. Madhesi: Nepal
3. Rohingya: Myanmar
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
1. Kurd - Bangladesh (Incorrect): Kurds are a Muslim ethnic group with a significant population in southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, northwestern Iran, and northern Syria. They are not a major community in Bangladesh. 2. Madhesi - Nepal (Correct): Madhesis are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group inhabiting the Terai plains of southern Nepal. They are a politically and socially aware community that has sometimes advocated for greater rights and representation within Nepal. 3. Rohingya - Myanmar (Correct): Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic group facing persecution in Myanmar. They are often mentioned in the news due to human rights concerns and the ongoing Rohingya genocide. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
Show 3 more PYQs
Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from
* The Arab Spring uprisings originally started in Tunisia. * In December 2010, a young Tunisian street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest of police harassment. This act of desperation sparked widespread demonstrations throughout Tunisia, demanding an end to corruption, unemployment, and political repression. * The success of the Tunisian revolution, which eventually led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, inspired similar protests across the Arab world, becoming known as the Arab Spring.
‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
China-Led Initiative BRI is a global development strategy spearheaded by the Chinese government. It aims to create a network of trade routes connecting China with other countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa through investments in infrastructure development. Hence, option D is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. This statement is correct as the Sahel region has been experiencing significant instability and security challenges, including terrorism, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises. * Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past. This statement is also correct. Several countries in the Sahel region, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, have experienced military coups in recent years. * Statement-II explains Statement-I because the military takeovers and coups contribute to the instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. The political instability resulting from these coups disrupts governance, exacerbates conflict, and undermines efforts to address security and development challenges in the region.