Members of India's parliament have criticized the ruling government for failing to push Burma's military government on the path to democracy and national reconciliation.
The Indian government signed a gas contract with Burma's government earlier this week in the midst of a national uprising that has seen the junta open fire on monks and civilians, killing at least five monks and injuring scores of pro-democracy demonstrators.
Dr. Nirmala Deshpande, a member of the upper Indian parliament group, said the Indian government has not done enough for democracy in Burma.
“They [the government] should have sympathy on the Burmese people and take the initiative to pressure the military government to release political prisoners including Aung San Su Kyi,” said Nirmala Deshpande.
Earlier this week. India's Minister of Oil and Gas, Murli S Deora, met with military regime leaders in the capital of Naypyidaw.
According to the state-own newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar, the India delegation signed a production sharing contract and discussed energy issues.
Soe Myint, the chief editor of the India-based Burmese newspaper Mizzima, said it was strange for the Indian government to discuss oil and gas investments when there were massive protests in Burma sparked by a doubling of petrol and diesel prices.
"The Indian government is taking this chance to exploit Burmese citizens," he said.
The India government issued an official statement on Burma on Wednesday. "It is our hope that all sides will resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue,” the statement said.
Soe Myint said he believed the government issued the statement because of pressure from the US government and other countries.
The Indian government signed a gas contract with Burma's government earlier this week in the midst of a national uprising that has seen the junta open fire on monks and civilians, killing at least five monks and injuring scores of pro-democracy demonstrators.
Dr. Nirmala Deshpande, a member of the upper Indian parliament group, said the Indian government has not done enough for democracy in Burma.
“They [the government] should have sympathy on the Burmese people and take the initiative to pressure the military government to release political prisoners including Aung San Su Kyi,” said Nirmala Deshpande.
Earlier this week. India's Minister of Oil and Gas, Murli S Deora, met with military regime leaders in the capital of Naypyidaw.
According to the state-own newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar, the India delegation signed a production sharing contract and discussed energy issues.
Soe Myint, the chief editor of the India-based Burmese newspaper Mizzima, said it was strange for the Indian government to discuss oil and gas investments when there were massive protests in Burma sparked by a doubling of petrol and diesel prices.
"The Indian government is taking this chance to exploit Burmese citizens," he said.
The India government issued an official statement on Burma on Wednesday. "It is our hope that all sides will resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue,” the statement said.
Soe Myint said he believed the government issued the statement because of pressure from the US government and other countries.
