We can’t help but feel a little disturbed at the propaganda we see. Perhaps it is emotional, but perhaps it is a denial to cover up a truly malicious intention against Bangladesh.
India is no doubt nakedly supporting Myanmar. This might not be directly against Bangladesh, but Bangladesh is nevertheless a victim of the consequences of their support towards Myanmar. By support we mean their continued investment in Rakhine state, supply of a submarine, gifts of military equipment and training of Myanmar defence personnel at India’s top military facilities.
By now you are probably not surprised about India’s role but what about Pakistan?
Myanmar has developed military level relations with Pakistan. Pakistan trains Myanmar military personnel in Pakistani Military Tactics at various institutions throughout Pakistan as well as both countries are undergoing a deal to purchase Pakistani fighter jets.
Pakistan has taught submarine skills to the Myanmar Navy. It was reported in June 2013 that around 20 officers from Myanmar Navy visited Karachi in late April/early May to begin basic submarine training with Pakistan Navy at PNS Bahadur.
In August 2014, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt paid the first ever visit by a serving PAF chief to Myanmar where he met his counterpart General Khin Aung Myint Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Air Force. Both air chiefs discussed matters of professional interest. The PAF chief was introduced to various Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) of the Myanmar Air Force along with visits to an operational air base and several maintenance facilities.
On May 7, 2015, General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Armed Force, visited Pakistan with a high-level military delegation. Among others, he met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah to discuss avenues of cooperation in a variety of military spheres. In particular, he discussed regional and “local” issues with the Pakistani Joint Chief. Although no specific details have been made available, it can be speculated that the issue of Rohingya Muslims and threats from India were discussed.
On May 21, 2015, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Air Force General Khin Aung Myint visited Air Headquarters, Islamabad to discuss matters of mutual interest with PAF Air Chief Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman; Myint reciprocated the earlier visit by Sohail Aman’s predecessor. Later, he also visited Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra where he and his team were given a detailed tour of the premises, especially the Sino-Pak JF-17 Thunder jet program. It seems the Myanmar Air Force delegation was so impressed with the JF-17 Thunder jet that they placed orders for 16 fighter jets, thus making Myanmar the first foreign buyer of the advanced fighter jet.
Pakistan has also supplied K-8 jet trainers to the Myanmar Air Force. The Myanmar Air Force used these aircraft in close air support roles to directly attack civilian population in Rakhine and other restive states of the country.
Thus upon close investigation Pakistan’s preaching of Islamic brotherhood does not hold any truth when it comes to the Rohingya people. Like 1971, Pakistan is not bothered about spilling the blood of other Muslims.
Today Bangladesh is sheltering, feeding, educating, protecting 1.2 million Myanmar Muslims against some of the worst acts of atrocities since World War II whilst China, India and Pakistan all helped build up the brutal monstrosity that is the Myanmar military.
The international community has failed once again to protect the lives of innocent civilians caught up in man made disasters aimed to fill the coffers of the powerful elite.
