CNI News
20 March 2025
Everyone is watching with interest what the Myanmar representatives have gained for reforming Myanmar from the discussion with Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), India's first independent international affairs think tank.
Over 40 Myanmar people, including officials from 12 political parties, Lt-Gen Min Naing of the NSPNC, officials from five EAOs and former MPs, and the ICWA discussed federalism and constitutional issues.
The discussion was held at the India Centre of the Embassy of India in Myanmar on 18 March 2025. Mainly, he happened to know India's negotiating skill, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Force (NDF) U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News.
" Long story short, we saw India's negotiating skill there. There is just an If you don't get what you want , fight for it' mindset here in our country. It's not like that in India. For over 70 years, the Indian government has patiently negotiated, bit by bit, as much as it can. Now, this is quite successful. India experienced terrorism and armed resistance as well. India has promoted political negotiation as much as possible. It had to conduct a lot of negotiations and compromises." he said.
They discussed constitutional frameworks and federalism, India's experience in managing a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual federal system, issues of all-inclusive governance and power-sharing, and Indian federalism and ethnic diversity.
While seeing Indian scholars in the discussion on federalism and constitution on 18 March 2025
Issues that could be resolved through political means by meeting and discussing constitutional and ethnic issues in the armed conflict areas were discussed and shared, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.
" Why is their constitution perpetuated up to now? One point after another was enacted in advance after arguments. Now they are being implemented. Our country is still studying drafting or amending constitution including India's constitution. I think we have to study one point after another that will suit our country. We have ethnic problems because our country is made up of various ethnic groups. So, how have they enacted laws regarding ethnic groups? They are living harmoniously without any conflicts. How did they find political solutions in the territories where armed conflicts were taking place. These things were shared." he said.
When discussing with Indian scholars, he happened to know two points and firstly India was worried that the central government would collapse, and secondly, it wanted everyone to support and correct the establishment of democracy in Myanmar, said a politician close to local and foreign diplomats.
Administrative and political elements from Myanmar went to India from 5th to 7th November 2024 to discuss federal issues. Follow-up discussion of the trip to India was held at the India Centre in Yangon, Myanmar on 18 March 2025.
Moreover, federalism and constitutional issues were to be held again in Naypyidaw, said political parties.
