Monthly Compilation of Views of VIF Expert Groups: February 2023

Vivekananda International Foundation was in full flow in the month of February 2023 with ten expert groups meeting. The areas of interest geographically were Africa, West Asia, US, Pakistan, Indo-Pacific, Neighbourhood, Central Asia and three key topics under Strategy and Geo-economics in which developments and perspectives were shared and discussed.

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a Round-Table Discussion on “Evolving Myanmar Crisis and Implications for India” on 01 February 2023. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, gave the opening remarks, followed by brief presentations by Amb Rajiv Bhatia and Amb Gautam Mukhopadhaya. 01 February 2023 marked the completion of two years of military rule in Myanmar, and within these two years, the country has witnessed intensive conflict and displacement. The military, the opposition comprising of the National Unity Government (NUG) and its People Defence Forces (PDFs) and Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), are fighting an unrelenting war leading to a civil war-like situation in the country. As per the 2008 Constitution, the emergency needs to end, and the elections in the next six months. The discussion thus focussed on whether the elections will be held or further deferred, what are the challenges for the country, how it can solve this crisis, and what are the options for India.