Enjoy the exchange of the intellectuals on their perspectives on Burma and the interviews, discussions, opinions on this video link “The Next Steps”. Sorry the full length takes 1 hour and 32 minutes. http://www.ncgub.net/mediagallery/media.php?s=20080126163148998
It is an interesting discussion on the current situation of Burma. Just as they have their own views I had mine. My question is simple. Who will benefit the most if Burma is a democratic nation? Of course the people of Burma will benefit the most but besides that which country will be benefited if Burma is a democratic nation? Burma is sandwich between India and China. Some says China and India relationship is developing fast. Will the democratic Burma is good for Communist China or Democratic India? I still sees the rivalry between India and China no matter what these 2 Asian giants are promoting relationship to each other. The violent history of wars between India and China is the recorded reality of the past. Now both these 2 nations had developed into greater force. Burma’s Generals still plays between these 2 giants and gain from both but for how long? In this video it is clear China does not want Burma to be heavily influence by India. Buddhism is one of the factor where it originated from India not to mention the food and culture does descend from India throughout Indochina region (south east Asia) which Burma is part of it and located between India and China thus the most effected nation of the entire South East Asian nations. The tug of war between cultures, food, religion, politics, military does have enormous impact or influence from India and China for centuries.
In my opinion this tug of struggle from India and China will not only continue but also intensify more in the coming decades to all of Indochina (South East Asia) region. Burma is like a ball swinging between the legs of left (communism) and right (democracy). Sometimes Burma swings to the left (China) more and sometimes Burma swings to the right (India) more. It is like that before and it will be like that now and in the future.
My question comes down to the basic. Who will benefit more if Burma becomes a democratic state? I hope the readers have answers to my question. The struggle for dominance continues in different shape or form but the fundamental fact is the same.
The true major players are China and India for this whole region called South East Asia (IndoChina), struggling for supremacy and for their own interest first.
US and EU are the distant powers that have very little effect on Indochina region. In practical reality, it is India and China that is manipulating the entire region for their purpose/agenda. In other words China and India are responsible for the situations in Burma directly or indirectly.