China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Russia were among the other countries that sent representatives to the official parade of the Myanmar military.
As per the report by The Wire, India was among only eight countries which chose to send a representative to attend the Myanmar Armed Forces Day military parade in Naypyitaw on March 27, a day that saw the country’s military shoot and kill at least 90 civilians, with some reports putting the death toll at 114.
Since the February 1 coup by the Myanmar military, weeks of demonstrations and a deadly crackdown have roiled the nation, as the death toll before Saturday’s bloodbath was estimated at more than 400.
India’s military attaché attended the massive parade, confirmed Indian officials. The day is celebrated as it marks the 76th anniversary of the Burmese National Army’s resistance against the occupying Japanese during the Second World War.
China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Russia were among the other countries that sent representatives to the official parade of the Myanmar military despite the coup and mounting civilian casualties. Russia was represented by its deputy defence minister, while the rest sent representatives from their local embassy.
The pro-democracy protestors on social media immediately condemned the move as soon as news about the participation of foreign missions at the official parade emerged.
The verified Twitter account of the Myanmar pro-democracy movement questioned India’s presence at the military parade.
“Indian embassy in Myanmar sent their military attaché to the military junta’s ‘armed forces day’ ceremony. India is one of the greatest democracies in the world. Why do you shake hands with the generals whose hands are soaked with our blood?,” the Civil Disobedience Movement tweeted, tagging External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs and the PMO.
Indian embassy in Myanmar sent their military attaché to the military junta’s ‘armed forces day’ ceremony. India is one of the greatest democracies in the world. Why do you shake hands with the generals whose hands are soaked with our blood? @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @PMOIndia
— Civil Disobedience Movement (@cvdom2021) March 27, 2021
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