New Delhi is growing increasingly concerned about the ramifications of the humanitarian and security situation in Myanmar, which is being visited by India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla on Wednesday. Shringla will meet with the military junta and political parties during his visit.

In a brief statement, the Indian External Affairs Ministry announced Shringla's two-day working visit to Myanmar on December 22-23, which will be the first such visit from the Indian side since Myanmar's military seized power in a coup on February 1. Shringla's visit will be the first since the military seized power in a coup on February 1.

According to the announcement, Shringla would "engage in conversations with members of the State Administration Council, political parties, and members of civil society" during his visit. According to the statement, issues such as "humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, security and border problems along the India-Myanmar border, and the political situation in Myanmar" will be discussed.

The last time Shringla visited Myanmar was in October 2020, when he was joined by Indian Army commander General MM Naravane – marking the first time an Indian delegation to the neighboring country comprised both leaders at the time. When this conversation took place, the two sides discussed collaborating in areas ranging from security to connectivity.

There has been growing concern in India over the Myanmar junta's crackdown on nationwide protests against the coup, which has resulted in more than 1,300 deaths and approximately 11,000 arrests, as well as a spike in the activities of armed resistance groups in areas bordering the strategically important northeastern region of the country.

The northeastern regions of Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland have taken in more than 15,000 refugees from Myanmar, and there is concern that members of armed pro-democracy groups may be smuggling their way into India in greater numbers. Also concerned about the instability in Myanmar's border regions is the possibility that anti-India terrorist organizations, which have long had strongholds in these areas, could be emboldened by the unrest in the region.

The government in New Delhi has pushed for conversation between all players in Myanmar in order to resolve their disputes, in line with the country's long-standing policy of creating a balance between the military and democratic parties in the neighboring country. Moreover, India has supported the democratic transition and the resumption of the democratic process in Myanmar since the military takeover.

As recently as December 7, India expressed its displeasure with the conviction of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi on charges of provocation and breaching Covid-19 limitations in what was generally characterized by the international community as a "fake trial."

While India has also backed an important role for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addressing the situation in Myanmar, the 10-member bloc's efforts to reach a consensus on the issue have been hampered by Cambodia's decision to engage directly with the military junta, which is currently in office.

In response to a demand by the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to send humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, India announced on November 27 that it has provided Covid-19-related relief supplies to the Myanmar Red Cross Society. It was in addition to the $1 million donations to the Covid-19 ASEAN Response Fund, which was made earlier in the year.