Paper short abstract:

The paper deals with possible new directions in the complicated bilateral relations between India and Myanmar after national elections produced new governments in New Delhi 2014 and in Naypyidaw 2015. Can Myanmar be a balancing factor in South Asia's changing security environment?

Paper long abstract:

Despite a promising start after independence, the bilateral relations between India and Myanmar have a long history of mutual neglect and obliviousness. The paper is going to revisit the developments since the end of colonial rule and point out crucial historical landmarks. Further, the most important policy issues between the two nations will be discussed. Focal point of the analysis will be the question whether one can expect new directions in the bilateral relationship after national elections produced new governments in India 2014 and in Myanmar 2015. While there have been signs of a new foreign policy approach regarding its eastern neighbor from the Indian side under prime minister Narendra Modi, it remains to be seen if the government of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy will substantially alter Myanmar's course on an international level. The paper is also going to pose the question whether Myanmar can and will be a balancing and potentially stabilizing factor in South Asia's changing security environment.