It is India's first engagement with anti -junta forces. The seminar reportedly includes representatives from Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) as well as ethnic rebel groups like those from Chin, Rakhine and Kachine.

In the backdrop of Myanmar being embroiled in a civil war post 2021 military coup, the Indian invitation is both timely and pragmatic. The 1650 kilometres of a volatile border lies between the two countries.

Rebel forces have seized significant swathes of this border from the military junta. This has dual fallout. The instability is growing and showing no signs of going down. This threatens the stability of India's North Eastern region. Indian infrastructure projects in Myanmar are also affected.

India's move is a delicate balancing act. It seeks to achieve a quiet border with Myanmar and unimpeded progress of its infrastructure projects and the safety of the personnel engaged in them. India has continued to maintain ties with the military junta even as Western nations imposed sanctions on it. Now sans severing relations with the military regime, India has sought to protect its strategic interest.

The policy makers have taken care of the fact the junta is not driven closer to China post the recent move. After all, India has remained within its rights and not transgressed them keeping in mind the significant influence which China wields in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, civil war has reached a point in Myanmar which poses an immediate concern to border security of India and is no longer a distant threat. The raging conflict threatens to undermine Indian investments in infrastructure projects like Kaladan port and road projects in Myanmar.

One must not lose sight of the fact that these projects are aimed to boost the connectivity between North Eastern states and South East Asia. These concerns have made India pursue a proactive approach in addressing Myanmar's internal dynamics.

No country can afford to overlook the security and economic implications emanating from an unstable border. In all likelihood, the hostilities in Myanmar have the makings of a protracted conflict. As it engages with NUG and ethnic rebel groups, India can emerge as a mediator who is an honest broker to bring in peace the Myanmarese people are so eagerly looking forward to.

Indian initiative can lead to the junta take a more conciliatory approach. Should the junta's grip on power weaken, this initiative can herald a process in which India is prepared to work with alternative powers in Myanmar.

In so many words, it is a strategic hedge. Apart from trying to safeguard it's interests in Myanmar, India can enjoy the position of a key player in its neighbouring country. It remains to be seen whether it leads to a substantive change. But it is an out of the box step whose success can be a feather in India's cap of external affairs which has not won too many laurels of late. (IPA Service)