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India Gives Submarine to Myanmar Amid Growing Chinese Footprint in Indian
Ocean Countries

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - India has given a submarine to Myanmar as part of a
   military outreach to its eastern neighbor that strategic analysts say
   is driven by New Delhi's bid to counter China's growing influence in
   Southeast Asia.

   "Cooperation in the maritime domain is a part of our diverse and
   enhanced engagement with Myanmar," Indian External Affairs Ministry
   spokesman Anurag Srivastava said while announcing earlier this month
   that India is giving its neighbor its first submarine-- a 3,000-ton
   diesel-electric, Kilo class Russian-built submarine that has been
   refitted.

   Renamed UMS Minye Theinkhathu, a historical hero in Myanmar, the attack
   submarine was showcased in a naval exercise conducted by the Myanmar
   navy in mid-October. It can operate at a depth of up to 300 meters.

   The submarine, the first supplied by India to any country, is part of
   an effort by New Delhi to step up its defense engagement with Myanmar
   as it tries to contain China's looming presence in a country that is a
   gateway to the Bay of Bengal, a strategic waterway located in the
   northeastern part of the Indian Ocean.

   India and Myanmar share a 725-kilometer maritime boundary in the Bay of
   Bengal.

   India's decision to give an underwater vessel to its eastern neighbor
   comes four years after Bangladesh, which shares a border with both
   India and Myanmar, acquired two submarines from China. Beijing is also
   helping Bangladesh build a submarine base, funding the development of
   its Chittagong port and developing a deep-sea port in Kyaukpyu in
   Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal.

   Analysts say that for New Delhi these projects represent yet another
   bid by China to expand its naval presence in countries that ring India,
   prompting it to strengthen its own partnerships in the region.

   "Myanmar wants to reduce its military and economic dependence on
   Beijing, but ok? in order to do that they have pointed out that they
   need options," according to Prakash Jha, a professor of defense and
   security studies at India'sO.P. Jindal Global University.

   "We have given them defense equipment earlier, such as naval
   surveillance aircraft and communication equipment which was nonlethal
   in nature. But recently they have been seeking more advanced equipment.
   So, giving a submarine is part of India's decision to engage Myanmar
   much more cohesively, to build goodwill," he said.

   Myanmar's acquisition of a submarine comes amid a spree in recent years
   by small Asian countries, from Bangladesh to Vietnam, to acquire
   underwater capability as they seek to modernize their navies-- viewed
   as an effort by the export-dependent countries to ensure open sea
   lanes.

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