Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

Interaction with Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd

On January 13, 2025, Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised an interaction with a visiting scholar Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd of Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The interaction was to obtain a brief on the current situation in Myanmar and its implications. Dr. Byrd researches, teaches, and publishes on the various arrays, for instance on; U.S.-Myanmar (Burma) relations; security dynamics in Southeast Asia; economics and security linkages; rising inequality and its implication on security; etc.

January 17, 2025 Event Report

Ongoing Crisis in Myanmar and Implications for India

Dr Cchavi Vasisht

Myanmar's strategic importance for India stems from its shared land and maritime borders, acting as a gateway to Southeast Asia. The ongoing conflict since the 2021 military coup has significantly impacted this relationship. ‘Operation 1027’ and the aftermath attacks since then across Myanmar borders have been a cause of concern for India. Myanmar's internal conflict and presence of armed groups pose security threats to India, particularly its Northeast states, due to the rise in cases of drug trafficking and activities of insurgent groups.

April 30, 2024 Paper

Roundtable Discussion on Ongoing Crisis in Myanmar and Implications for India

On 21 December, the Vivekananda International Foundation organised a Round Table Discussion on the “Ongoing Crisis in Myanmar and Implications for India”. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF delivered the opening remarks, followed by brief presentations by Amb Preet Mallik, Amb Rajiv Bhatia, Amb Gautam Mukhopadhya, Brig Rahul Bhonsle and Dr Cchavi Vasisht. The presentations were followed by discussions, with a special focus on what should be India’s way forward.

January 04, 2024 Event Report

Delivery of Humanitarian Assistance in Myanmar: Lessons Learnt and the Way Forward

Dr Cchavi Vasisht

As COVID-19 struck the world countries, it took some months to recover back to their normal social and economic lives. However, for the people of Myanmar the crisis deepened further due to the military takeover in February 2021. The need for humanitarian support has increased since the military takeover; with almost 266 townships out of 330 have been targets of numerous violent attacks. The situation is further exacerbated by the military’s strategy of preventing life-saving humanitarian aid from reaching those who need it.

September 15, 2023 Issue Brief

Revisiting Myanmar: Present Through Past

Brig Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow, VIF

Dr Cchavi Vasisht

The February 2021 military takeover in Myanmar has had adverse impact on the country`s political, economic and social landscape, which was undergoing a democratic transition. It was a step back in the democratic journey the country had embarked upon since adopting the 2008 military-drafted Constitution. The military extended the emergency rule on 01 February 2023, and the elections to be conducted per the 2008 Constitution mandate were further deferred.

July 20, 2023 Books/Book Review

Round Table Discussion on Evolving Myanmar Crisis: Implications for India

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. Before the presentations, a brief introduction to the current developments in Myanmar was given by Cchavi Vasisht. 01 February 2023 marked the completion of two years of military rule in Myanmar, and within these two years, the country witnessed intensified conflict and displacement.

February 10, 2023 Event Report

Discussion on Myanmar’s Relations with Its Neighbouring Countries

On 28 September 2022, the Vivekananda International Foundation organised a discussion on “Myanmar’s Relations with Its Neighbouring Countries”. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF gave the introductory remarks. Myanmar has experienced a fundamental seismic shift. The prospect of a return to normalcy as before is no more there and the new normal is in an evolving stage. The discussion highlighted the characteristics of this post-normal Myanmar.

September 30, 2022 Event Report

Talk on "Recent Visit of Foreign Secretary to Myanmar and India-Myanmar Relations"

On 04 January 2022, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a talk on "Recent Visit of Foreign Secretary to Myanmar and India-Myanmar Relations”. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, gave the introductory remarks followed by Amb Rajiv Bhatia and Amb Gautam Mukhopadhaya making presentations respectively. Both of them have served as Ambassadors to Myanmar in the previous decades. Dr Gupta spoke about India's interests and role in the country.

January 25, 2022 Event Report

Irrawaddy Imperatives: Reviewing India’s Myanmar Strategy

Jaideep Chanda

Myanmar, the Golden Land, has for ages been the last frontier, steeped in mysticism and mystery. However, knowledge about Myanmar remains woefully inadequate in most spheres including Indian academia, media and in some cases, even foreign policy. The irony is such that premier educational establishments in India provide exotic courses on countries with which India has no borders and are thousands of kilometres away, but do not offer Myanmar studies or language courses, despite India sharing a 1643 km border with Myanmar.

August 31, 2021 Books/Book Review

Discussion on Recent Developments in Myanmar: Implications for India

On 11 February 2021, VIF organised a discussion on ‘Recent Developments in Myanmar: Implications for India’. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, welcomed the participants and delivered the opening remarks followed by brief presentations by Amb Gopalaswami Parthasarathy, Amb Gautam Mukhopadhya, and Major General Alok Deb. From the VIF, Gen Ravi Sawhney, Dr Sreeradha Datta and Cchavi Vasisht participated in the discussion. Dr Gupta defined the military coup as an unexpected event, though the political tensions were mounting in the country. The discussion aimed to address three major concerns.

February 17, 2021 Event Report