India reportedly wants more academic collaboration with the Naypyitaw State Academy, which is touted by Myanmar junta boss Min Aung Hlaing as a potential international hub.
Indian ambassador Vinay Kumar proposed collaboration with Indian universities in doctorate programs to be launched at the Naypyitaw academy during his meeting with the junta’s education minister on Monday.
Kumar had a hectic schedule this week, meeting the junta defense, foreign affairs, transport, electricity, construction and education ministers on Monday and Tuesday.
Kumar and Education Minister Nyunt Pe discussed collaboration between five Myanmar universities and Indian small- and medium-sized industries and more scholarships at Indian universities.
India joins Russia and China in offering support for the academy founded by Min Aung Hlaing last year.
The junta’s key arms supplier, Russia, is helping to enhance the quality of the academy, which Min Aung Hlaing hopes to turn into an international community.
China has awarded Pauk Phaw or fraternal scholarships to 111 university students at the academy.
Despite international condemnation of the 2021 coup and terror campaign against Myanmar’s civilians, India, the world’s largest democracy, has been deepening ties with the regime.
As New Delhi is set to host the G20 summit this weekend, Burma Campaign UK has called on members to pressure India to stop supporting Myanmar’s junta. Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government also urged G20 members on Wednesday not to ignore Myanmar’s crisis.
In his meeting with junta ministers on Monday and Tuesday, Kumar discussed a wide range of issues, including cementing bilateral ties in defense, trade, transport, communications, electricity and closer cooperation in ASEAN, the United Nations and other regional arenas, cross-border power line projects, capacity building training for regime civil servants and sending engineers to study in India.
