Finally, if it wants to get the big picture right, India must get the politics right. India has rightly called for the process of political reform in Myanmar to be more “inclusive”. If it can get political conversations going on the ground, India can constructively help to end Myanmar’s isolation. This would go a long way in alleviating the country’s humanitarian tragedy and address the taproots of social unrest that have sparked off the present crisis. If India’s official position does not reflect these realities, it will run the risk of being caught unresponsive when political transition takes place. In 1989, Burma rechristened itself Myanmar but it remains to be seen if it can now rechristen a far-reaching and durable identity transformation for itself. It will be a mark of India’s statesmanship if it can nudge Myanmar towards that real makeover.

The writer is associate professor, Centre for Policy Research