“Neighbouring Nations Meet Secretly to Discuss De-Escalation in Myanmar Crisis”

Representatives from the Myanmar government and neighbouring countries, including China and India, participated in a secret dialogue in New Delhi to address the deadly crisis in Thailand’s neighbouring country. The meeting is part of a “Track 1.5” effort which began with a dialogue in Thailand the previous month. The talks come as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grows increasingly frustrated with the military’s failure to implement the peace plan it agreed to in April 2021. Participants in the dialogue expressed interest in bringing Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) into the process – an organisation affiliated with the resistance and labelled “terrorist” by the junta. The junta has been boycotted by Western countries, and engaged with Russia and Thailand, including its military leader, regarding the crisis. The ASEAN’s five-point consensus is the only official diplomatic process in Myanmar, and the junta has been barred from participation until the plan has been implemented. The talks are complimentary and seek to reduce violence, initiate dialogue, and deliver humanitarian aid.