dated October 23, 1951: India and Burma

From the Editorials: ``The arrival in Delhi of Burmese Premier, Thakin Nu, should further the excellent relations India maintains with her neighbour. We are obtaining 2-1/2 lakhs tonnes of rice from Burma to tackle our shortage; from 1952 the quantity will be three- and-a-half lakh tonnes per annum. Thakin Nu has come not merely to discuss economic issues, but a whole range of interests, including the Japanese Treaty. Burma and Indonesia are hopeful of obtaining some reparations from Japan for war damage. Burma is still faced with serious internal difficulties such as the revolt by Karens, Communists, and dissident Socialists. The Burmese Government reportedly plan to form a separate State for the Karens, which will be a large step towards securing internal stability. The Communists are still active, and their propaganda uses the fact that mainland China across the border is dominated by a Communist Government. Recently, there was alarm in Burma over the publication of a map by the Chinese Government showing areas of Burma as undefined. Referring to this in Parliament, Thakin Nu revealed that the Burmese Ambassador had obtained a written assurance from Peking, that ``there are no problems between Asian countries like China, India, and Burma which cannot be solved through normal diplomatic channels. ... China has no territorial ambitions.''

``The elections recently held in Burma could only be partial but it is clear that the Anti-Fascist Peoples' Freedom League (AFPFL) is still the most popular party. Like the Indian Congress, that party contains many heterogeneous elements; but, as time goes by, it may be expected that right and left wing elements will get sifted. The AFPFL's programme for Burma is that of a co-operative commonwealth starting with a cooperative for every village, rising through district cooperatives, to nation-wide organisations for producing, buying, and distributing the produce of Burma's land. Meanwhile, the Government is running the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company and purchasing and selling the rice surplus of the country. Attempts have been made to attract foreign capital without much success and, as the Premier has pointed out, local businessmen are more interested in trade than in industry. Britain has agreed to lend Burma money to take up a one-third share in the Burma Oil Company. Burma, like other South-East Asian countries, stands in need of industrialisation, and cannot depend for ever on exports. ... India should hasten Burma's industrial growth, and secure for that country a more balanced economy.''

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