The concept of sovereignty has deep roots in the history of human civilization. In ancient times, rulers such as kings and emperors claimed supreme authority over their lands, but the modern understanding of sovereignty began to take shape in Europe during the late Middle Ages. The turning point came with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the Thirty Years’ War. This treaty established the principle that each state possessed the right to govern its territory and people without external interference. It marked the birth of the modern international system, where states were recognized as independent and equal units.
Philosophers like Jean Bodin in the sixteenth century defined sovereignty as the absolute and perpetual power of a commonwealth. Later, thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes emphasized the necessity of a sovereign authority to maintain order and prevent chaos. Over time, sovereignty became the foundation of international law, diplomacy, and the recognition of nation-states.
Today, the idea remains central: sovereignty ensures that countries can make their own laws, protect their borders, and preserve their identity. Although globalization and international organizations sometimes challenge this principle, sovereignty continues to symbolize independence and self‑determination in the modern world.

Mutual Respect for Sovereignty in Human Society
Sovereignty is not only a principle of state authority but also a moral foundation for peaceful coexistence among nations and peoples. In human society, the recognition of sovereignty means that every community, regardless of size or power, has the right to govern itself and preserve its identity. When nations respect each other’s sovereignty, they create conditions for stability, cooperation, and trust. Without such respect, conflicts, interventions, and domination often arise, leading to suffering and instability.
An important example can be seen in the relationship between Switzerland and the international community. For centuries, Switzerland has maintained its sovereignty through neutrality. Even during major global conflicts such as the World Wars, other nations recognized and respected Switzerland’s independent status. This mutual respect allowed Switzerland to avoid invasion, protect its people, and contribute to humanitarian efforts. The case demonstrates that sovereignty is not only about independence but also about reciprocal recognition. Nations that honour each other’s sovereignty can coexist peacefully, even in times of global crisis.
In today’s interconnected world, respecting sovereignty remains vital. Globalization, international organizations, and economic interdependence sometimes challenge state autonomy, but the principle of sovereignty ensures that cooperation does not become coercion. For example, when countries join the United Nations, they agree to work together while still maintaining their sovereign rights. This balance allows nations to collaborate on issues like climate change, health, and security without losing their independence.
Ultimately, sovereignty must be respected by all nations and all people. It is the cornerstone of equality in international relations. By honouring sovereignty, humanity affirms the dignity of every community and ensures that cooperation is built on consent rather than force.

Contemporary Challenges to Sovereignty
In the modern world, the principle of sovereignty is often challenged, as states sometimes fail to respect the independence of others. These violations do not arise randomly; they are rooted in deeper structural problems and global dynamics. Understanding these sources helps explain why sovereignty remains fragile despite being a cornerstone of international law.
One major source is geopolitical rivalry. Powerful nations often intervene in weaker states to expand influence, secure strategic resources, or establish military dominance. For example, competition over oil, natural gas, or trade routes has led to interventions that undermine the sovereignty of smaller countries. Such actions are justified under the language of “national interest”, but they erode the principle of mutual respect.
Another source is economic dependency and globalization. Developing nations that rely heavily on foreign investment, loans, or aid may face external pressure to adopt policies that serve the interests of donor countries or international institutions. This economic leverage can limit a nation’s ability to make independent decisions, effectively compromising sovereignty.
Humanitarian intervention and security concerns also play a role. In cases of civil war, human rights abuses, or terrorism, powerful states or coalitions may justify military or political involvement in another country’s affairs. While these actions are often framed as protecting global peace or human dignity, they raise questions about whether sovereignty can be overridden by international responsibility.
Additionally, technological and cyber influence has become a new frontier. Cyberattacks, digital surveillance, and manipulation of information across borders allow states to interfere in the internal affairs of others without traditional military force. This invisible intrusion challenges the very idea of territorial control upon which sovereignty is built.
In addition, historical disputes and unresolved borders continue to generate sovereignty conflicts. Colonial legacies, ethnic divisions, and contested territories often lead to disputes where one state disregards the sovereignty of another. These conflicts remind us that sovereignty is not only a legal principle but also a fragile social contract shaped by history.
Sovereignty violations in the contemporary era stem from a combination of geopolitical ambition, economic dependency, humanitarian claims, technological intrusion, and historical disputes. These sources reveal that sovereignty is constantly negotiated rather than guaranteed. For global peace and justice, nations must strive to balance legitimate international concerns with respect for the independence and dignity of all states.

Suggestions for Addressing Sovereignty Conflicts
To reduce and eventually resolve conflicts that arise from violations of sovereignty, humanity must adopt practices rooted in respect, cooperation, and justice. Several key approaches can guide this effort:
Dialogue and diplomacy: Nations should prioritize negotiation and peaceful dialogue over military or coercive measures. Diplomatic channels allow states to resolve disputes while preserving mutual respect.
Strengthening international law: Global institutions such as the United Nations must reinforce rules that protect sovereignty, ensuring that interventions are lawful and limited to extreme cases like genocide or mass atrocities.
Mutual recognition: States should acknowledge the equal dignity of all nations, regardless of size or power, and avoid policies that exploit weaker countries.
Economic fairness: Reducing dependency through fair trade, sustainable development, and equitable financial systems helps prevent stronger nations from using economic leverage to undermine sovereignty.
Cultural respect: Recognizing the unique traditions and identities of each nation fosters harmony and discourages domination.
Technological ethics: In the digital age, nations must agree on norms that prevent cyber intrusions and protect sovereignty in cyberspace.
In brief, sovereignty is the foundation of independence and equality among nations. When conflicts arise from its violation, the path to peace lies not in domination but in cooperation. Humanity must cultivate habits of dialogue, fairness, and respect, ensuring that global interaction strengthens rather than weakens sovereignty. By honouring this principle, nations can build a world where independence and dignity are preserved, and where cooperation is based on consent rather than coercion.

gnlm

Behind job advertisements that claim no education, no professional skills, and no hard work are required; behind claims that a person has won a phone or an air conditioner in lucky draws; behind the attractive images on social media and the allure of sweet words; and behind various online gambling games – there are many complex stories of lies and deception.
Basically, scams are often tailored to people’s needs: offering work to those who need it, offering money to those in need, fabricating stories of beauty for those drawn to it, extorting money from those with financial power, and using many other schemes to deceive people. In the end, victims’ lives are disrupted, and they suffer both physical and mental harm. At the same time, fraudsters exploit the lives of honest citizens to obtain money through these deceptive schemes. Under the guise of job opportunities, the victims’ futures are stolen.
Many of those working in online gambling and money laundering operations are themselves victims of fraud, including human trafficking, and are reported to work 12 to 14 hours a day. Many victims find it difficult to escape and effectively become trapped in money laundering operations. They typically engage in various online fraudulent activities, such as investment scams, online gambling, lending schemes, and extortion by posing as a romantic partner, generating billions of US dollars in revenue each year for the leaders of the online financial fraud industry.
Many foreign nationals involved in online money fraud have illegally entered Myanmar through border routes from neighbouring countries and have committed online fraud, online gambling, and other crimes in the Maehtawthalay-KK Park area of Myawady Township, Kayin State. About 90 per cent of these foreign nationals who commit online gambling and other crimes enter Myanmar via Thailand, with most of them crossing the border illegally.

“Most of the materials used in the KK Park – about 90 per cent – come from Thailand. They don’t use any materials from Myanmar. Everything, from electronic devices to personal items, that comes through illegal crossings is imported from Thailand. These illegal routes are not for the benefit of our ethnic people or the country; they serve the interests of armed groups,” said a local from Inkyin Myaing village, located near the KK Park area. Foreign nationals who enter illegally in this way often use border areas in underdeveloped, lawless, and remote regions as bases for fraudulent activities.
“Our area is a region controlled by armed groups with a low rule of law, so when there are clashes with the Tatmadaw, there are things we must avoid. If people cross to their side from this side, Thai soldiers set up a camp. They tell us not to go anywhere else and to stay in one place. I have never received international support to evade the fighting. Some people do, but it is not helpful. For example, they say they provide rice packets, blankets, and shirts—but they are used. When they give these items, they also record the displaced people as they cross the Thaungyin River. There is no effective system in place. There are refugee camps for people evading the fighting that receive international support, and the authorities show these people to the international community to obtain aid. It is like asking for rice by showcasing monkeys. We, the people of Myanmar, need to be aware of these things. We know this because we have experienced it firsthand,” said a local from Inkyin Myaing village.

The recent KK Park incident, which occurred in the Myanmar-Thailand border area of Myawady, has become a hot topic in Southeast Asian countries. Media outlets have emphasized the need for effective action. The Myanmar government is continuously investigating and identifying foreign nationals who have committed telecom fraud, online gambling, and other crimes in the Maehtawthalay (KK Park) area of Myawady, Kayin State.
Such investigations and deportation procedures are being carried out systematically in accordance with the law, and the foreign nationals are being transferred to their respective countries. In addition, the buildings in KK Park where they lived are being demolished. Similarly, the routes used by armed terrorists involved in illegal trade are being blocked and destroyed.
Meanwhile, media reports have revealed that online fraud is spreading not only in Myanmar but also across Southeast Asia. According to these reports, 88 Chinese nationals were arrested in Indonesia on 29 August on suspicion of online crimes. Similarly, in Thailand, a mid-August crackdown on online financial fraud led to the arrest of a Myanmar woman, several Chinese nationals, and Thai nationals, as well as the seizure of luxury cars, real estate deeds, and cash linked to the telecom fraud.
Therefore, relevant governments in Southeast Asian countries, including the Myanmar government, are working together to take urgent action in response to the rise in online crime in the region. The national government’s efforts to implement such measures, as well as the Myanmar government’s cooperation with government agencies in neighbouring countries to identify and suppress these activities, have been reported in state-owned newspapers.
“We welcome the government’s continued crackdown on telecom fraud. The land at KK Park used to be our farmland and gardens. They bought it from local farmers for a lot of money, and then they built buildings on it. I’ve heard that after construction, it’s like a city. You don’t know what kinds of businesses they run. You can’t see them, and it’s not easy to get in or out. There are big walls and CCTV cameras, and security is tight. Many of us locals have never been there. Those who have done manual labour there say it’s hard to get in and out, so we avoid it. They say illegal gambling takes place there. We want to do legitimate manufacturing work in our area so that locals will have job opportunities and live comfortably,” said a resident of Maehtawthalay village.
The government is now taking effective, lawful action against online criminal gangs that pose a significant threat to the country and its citizens. To support investigations and enforcement efforts, inspections and clearances have reportedly been carried out not only in Kayin State but also in northeastern and eastern Shan State.

“All the buildings in KK Park will be demolished to prevent further online fraud, online gambling, and other crimes. There are also illegal gates, which are being removed and cleared. We are working to take legal action against everyone involved,” said an official.

To date, 9,536 foreign nationals have been systematically deported to their respective countries via Thailand in line with legal procedures, and the remaining 1,279 foreign nationals are ready to be transferred to their countries.

“In areas where the rule of law is weak, they use our land and rely on the Thaungyin River to do this. Only when the rule of law is firmly established will telecom fraud disappear. That is why we want a strong rule of law and good governance in our region. Then it will be easier to carry out other work. We will also benefit from better education, healthcare, and regional development. I hope for a situation like this,” said a resident of Inkyin Myaing village.

Therefore, the public must be aware of and avoid the fraudulent money-making schemes of online criminal gangs, which involve various types of fraud, incentives, and content, and must cooperate with the processes carried out by the government in accordance with the law.
(Translated by TH)

Our country, Myanmar, shares a long border area of land and water territories with neighbouring countries due to geographical conditions. Taking advantage of these border areas, unscrupulous businesspersons and the organizations opposing the government traffic commodities as illegal trade activities through illegal entry and exit crossings.
These illegal trade activities hinder the economic development of the State and the progress of socioeconomic improvement of the people. It causes the loss of revenue for the State, harming the operation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at home. Consequently, such an act affects the production and employment opportunities of the State and ethnic entrepreneurs. That is why it can be seen that people experience loss of job opportunities and an increasing number of unemployed. The people are facing the impacts of the inflation rate of currency and rising prices of commodities based to booming illegal trade activities. Furthermore, the illegal trade can affect the measures of security and the rule of law being implemented by the State. As such, it is necessary to effectively and clearly combat illegal trade activities as a national duty.
The State Administration Council has reconstituted the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee since December 2021. Under the guidance of the steering committee, illegal trade eradication task forces were set up in regions and states, while the Customs Department has been taking a leading role in the OSS in cooperation with relevant departments in prevention, seizure and checking functions against the illegal trade activities.
Despite carrying out restrictive prevention and seizing, illegal trade activities have not disappeared yet. Different amounts of trade volume and value can be seen in comparing with the trade data obtained from neighbouring countries. Unscrupulous businesspersons are seeking various ways and means to commit illegal trade activities.
Currently, a serious situation is found where foodstuffs and personal goods labelled with fake trademarks are being sold in the market at home. It is very dangerous for the people who use and consume foodstuffs, cosmetics and medicines labelled with fake trademarks without any recommendations of health authorities. Moreover, the distribution and sales of these domestically-manufactured foodstuffs and personal goods labelled with fake trademarks can harm the long-term interests of MSME businesses.
It has been observed that unscrupulous businesspersons are taking advantage of the current situation along the country’s border routes to intensify illegal trade activities. At the same time, it supports illegal online gambling operations in border areas. According to bilateral trade data and records of seizures, these findings have been confirmed. It is therefore necessary to effectively prevent and control illegal activities along border routes, and illegal trade, trafficking, and sales of goods on social media platforms must not be overlooked.
The booming illegal trade and trafficking through the online platform can result in loss of revenue for the State. Trading of low-quality commodities, foodstuffs, cosmetics and medicines without recommendations of health authorities can harm the health and socioeconomic life of the people. As such, it can be said that these illegal trade activities become a very dangerous challenge for the State and the people.
According to information from the illegal trade eradication task forces, seizures have included not only motorcycles, motor vehicles, and machinery, but also narcotic drugs and prohibited chemicals. Although illegal trade activities have been widespread, the situation has gradually come under control. Illegal trade causes losses and damage to every perspective — public health, social and economic development, and national progress. Therefore, it is essential for all citizens to actively participate in preventing and combating such activities effectively. To ensure that illegal trade is completely eradicated, collective efforts are required. At the same time, extensive public awareness campaigns must be carried out so that the entire population understands the need to prevent and curb these illegal activities.
At present, the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee, formed by the State and illegal trade eradication task forces, are effectively preventing and combatting illegal trade activities. On the other hand, State-owned newspapers and FM radios mention telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for people to inform the authorities about illegal trade activities. The State presents deserved rewards to dutiful people for their information about the illegal trade activities. As such, people are urged to actively participate with a patriotic spirit and national unity in efforts to eliminate illegal trade for the sake of national development and the socioeconomic progress of citizens. People are also encouraged to cooperate in the eradication of illegal trade by making use of the rewards granted by the State for providing information.
Translated.

GNLM

By Aung Shinn

First and foremost, it is informed in advance that the information presented in this article does not consist of biased accusations or fabricated facts.
This article will highlight an armed terrorist group that dreams of achieving its racial prejudices and political ambitions through armed means, and which is heavily involved in the drug trade for its survival, threatening the entire human race in the world.
The AA group is an armed terrorist group comprised mostly of Rakhine people. However, the public already knows that neither all Rakhine people accept the AA group, nor does it represent Rakhine State and the Rakhine ethnic people. Undeniable evidence indicates that the AA group is indeed a terrorist armed group led by a self-serving group of Rakhine individuals, who are trampling on the Rakhine people and Rakhine State, with extremist racial sentiments, destroying the peace and stability of Rakhine State, and massively engaging in drug trafficking.

Evil-natured drug lord
The AA group, which emerged in 2009 in the KIA-controlled area, was formed with Rakhine people who had arrived in Kachin State. To equip its members with weapons, the AA group has heavily traded amphetamine pills, ICE, and heroin, not only within the country but also to foreign countries where large profits can be made, following the examples of its godfathers, the KIA, the UWSA and the MNDAA groups. Since its inception, the AA has lacked strong businesses and has not received sufficient tax revenue from the impoverished Rakhine ethnic people. Therefore, it relies primarily on income from drug trafficking to purchase rations, weapons, ammunition and fuel for its members.
The AA’s drug trade has expanded its market abroad. The AA group is working with international drug lords in a network-like manner, involving the smuggling of precursor chemicals, drug production, transport and storage of drugs, distribution within the country, and coordination for drug trade abroad.

Drug seizures involving AA group members
From 2016 to 21 July 2025, there were 24 instances of seizures of narcotics and weapons/ammunition involving members of the AA terrorist insurgent group. During the incidents, 276 drug-related offenders were arrested, together with over 14.4 million methamphetamine pills, over 11.9 tonnes of ICE (crystal meth), 800 kg of caffeine, 2.2 tonnes of Ketamine, with a total estimated value of over 266 billion Kyats (over USD 73.9 million). Moreover, along with them, 224 weapons, 41,379 rounds of ammunition, 977 magazines, 36 hand grenades, 178 mortar shells, 25 GPS devices, 40 satellite phones, related accessories, vehicles, motorboats and ships used for transporting narcotics were seized. The seizures in detail can be read on the Infosheet Website https://infosheet.org///.

Apparent narcotics seizures
Of 24 narcotics seizures involving AA group members, 9 apparent narcotics seizures involving AA top leaders themselves will be highlighted. On 8 August 2019, over 2.48 million methamphetamine pills, emblems with the ARAKAN Army logo, hand grenades, and walkie-talkies were seized at the residence of San Thar Kyaw, the Yekkun Taing village administrator of Rathedaung Township in Rakhine State–cum-member of the AA group. The drugs were stored for distribution to refugee camps within the Rakhine State and on the Bangladesh border, as well as for AA members’ use, according to San Tha Kyaw’s confession. In various towns and villages throughout Rakhine State, the AA group tends to task individuals deemed trustworthy, like San Thar Kyaw, among those who have been assigned administrative responsibilities, with the additional task of distributing illicit drugs.
Between 3 and 9 December 2023, authorities seized 2.07 tonnes of ICE (crystal meth) and 800 kg of caffeine, estimated at 51.87 billion Kyats (over USD 24 million), at the Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Terminal in Yangon. During the operation, authorities arrested a drug trafficking ring that included four ranking officers and three other members of the AA group, as well as eight civilians.
According to the interrogations, as per the instructions of AA leader Twan Mrat Naing, his trusted confidant and the AA’s business-in-charge, Colonel-ranked Kyaw Myat Oo (aka) Thar Thar (aka) Wai Thar Tun, managed to conduct drug-trafficking. The drugs were produced by the armed groups in Shan State, and they plotted to smuggle the drugs to Rakhine State from Mandalay and Yangon via land and water routes. They confessed that the drugs were to be shipped to Malaysia and Indonesia via the sea adjoining Rakhine State. It can be witnessed that AA group members are being tasked to be involved in drug dealings.

Drug trade by AA group members masquerading as civilians
On 6 March 2025, authorities arrested a team masquerading as civilians led by AA business in charge of Ye Win (aka) Kyaw Soe Lin at a warehouse located at No 546/547, Hsin Phyu Shin Street, Ward (144), Dagon Myothit (South) Township, Yangon Region. Along with them, over 3 tonnes of ICE (crystal meth) and over 200 kg of Ketamine, estimated at over 96 billion Kyats (USD 28.82 million), were seized. In this case, 14 members of a drug smuggling ring were arrested. Five of whom were business in charges masquerading as civilians, tasked by the AA group. It was discovered that many AA leaders’ trusted members were arrested in drug trafficking, so the AA members were masqueraded as civilian business in charges in a diversion tactic.
Similarly, on 26 and 27 April 2025, 19 drug-related offenders led by AA’s supply in charge, Nay Paing Lin (aka) Aung Naing Kywe, were arrested in Yangon, Pyapon and Kawthoung. Along with them, 4.113 tonnes of ICE (crystal meth), one litre of ICE liquid and three tonnes of Ketamine were seized. They were a group to purchase arms/ammunition and provide rations for the AA group, using drug sales income.
In this instance, drug dealers masquerading as civilians were covered by the AA group as the supply in charge of AA. They were tasked to conduct drug trafficking in fewer trips but in larger quantities.
According to statements from the arrested drug-dealers of AA group members, those tasked to be involved in the drug trade are confidants of AA leader Twan Mrat Naing. The main responsible manipulator is Kyaw Han of colonel-level rank, working as the secretary of the AA group. The arrested drug-related offenders stated that they were not carrying out drug trafficking as a private business, but were being tasked to serve for the AA group. They received more salary and benefits than other AA group members. Their work is compartmentalized into those who keep drugs stored, those who distribute drugs and those who deal drugs abroad. Each group is unaware of another’s presence. However, it is reported that a senior in charge, like Wai Thar Tun, had served as a link between the separate groups.
Under the management of AA leader Twan Mrat Naing, profits obtained from the drugs are used to supply arms/ammunition/rations to AA members, build fortifications and provide support for AA members. 70 per cent of the income from drugs is usually used to purchase weapons and ammunition, and they are known to exchange weapons for amphetamine pills and commit money laundering as well as transnational crimes such as human trafficking, connecting with international arms smuggling gangs.

To be continued

The scam centres along the Myanmar eastern borders were definitely one of the most newsworthy issues of 2025. But with the Myanmar government cleaning these up at rocket speed and EAOs caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, the supply of scams could become more decentralized over the next few years. Their operations have become more mobile and agile. The number of staff involved also became akin to terror cells, staffed with just a few people with lots of technologies and AI. The supply of scams might not drop, but it would definitely become more distributed, with scammers being stationed in various cities and towns within the poorer ASEAN countries.
Regardless of supply, the demand is on the side of the righteous. With more and more people becoming aware of scams of various kinds and major news networks doing investigative work along the Mae Sot-Myawady border, the chances of the general public getting conned are now significantly lower than they were a couple of years ago. Word of mouth is also contributing towards the fight against scams. Furthermore, how many times could you possibly scam one person? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me! Or, that person has already run out of lifelong savings to be scammed upon. Hence, the demand for scams is undoubtedly going south as we write this, and eventually, it will not occupy the top spot in crime charts even as the scammers devise new ways to dupe people using technology and AI.
So, the crimes of swindling will dwindle as we straddle a quarter of this century.
It’s great news for everyone, then, isn’t it?
Based on our forecast of the times ahead, there might be more serious issues brewing around the corner.
The reasoning is simple… Even though the scam centres are nearly gone, the governance and law and order misalignment in the border areas has not been addressed at all. These regions, Wa, Koh Kant, some parts of Shan, Kayin, Kachin, Chin, Nagaland, are totally not under the control of the Myanmar government or military (Tatmadaw). The EAOs operating there are more interested in enriching themselves whichever way possible, rather than building infrastructure for the inhabitants of the land. The drug lords, crime lords, warlords, etc., are still thriving over there by currying favours with the barbarian leaders of EAOs. Hence, the ecosystem is so oriented towards these regions to become the epicentre of the next tsunami of global transgression.
Drugs are openly sold along the streets of Phakant in Kachin State. Average youths in the city of Mogok, near northern Shan, are addicted to one kind of drug or another. The border town of Tachilek, being the major town in the Golden Triangle, is also flooded with drugs of various kinds that the residents there could not even address the defences against the regularity of major floods that inundate the ground floors of almost all houses in the city (happened 3x this year alone). In another checkpoint city of Myawaddy, clashes between Tatmadaw and EAOs or between EAOs have become so common that people are only interested in making quick money, i.e., via engaging in an abundance of vice. Further down south along the Three Pagoda pass, the sole trade across the border seems to be in synthetic drugs. We do not know which way the drugs are heading from there, but stats actually reveal some trends.
Even in cities such as Maw La Myine, the capital of Mon State, the only profitable businesses to do seem to be synthetic drugs, gambling and smuggling of various stuff, including human beings. We personally heard the direct account from the youth and businessmen over there, who would regularly go to ‘Hi’ rooms once a week at least, as long as they got money in their pockets.
Out of our motherland, the latest statistics in Malaysia show a 32.5 per cent increase in reported drug users and addicts from 2023 to 2024. Its DPM said, “Drug abuse in Malaysia has reached a ‹critical level’ and threatens public safety, economic stability, and social structures”. Australia has reported A$450 million more drug seizures in 2024 compared to the previous year. Thailand also reported a nearly 50 per cent increase in drug-related cases in 2024.
In Myanmar, too, the value of drug seizures has gone up significantly. Gone were the days when the carriers were caught with a hundred thousand dollars or so worth of drugs. Recent synthetic drug seizures were each in excess of $1million for each capture.
In its 2024 Annual Report, the International Narcotics Control Board finds that,
Illicit synthetic drugs are spreading, and consumption is increasing
More coordinated action by Governments and others is needed to tackle the problem
Synthetic drugs could overtake some plant-based drugs in the near future
The total and individual value of drug busts have gone up, even though the costs of production of synthetic drugs have gone down, which undoubtedly leads to the conclusion that the volume of drugs shipped or transported must have gone up exponentially.
Synthetic drugs are easily manufactured with little technical or scientific knowledge, and there is a reduced need for labour or land for cultivation, unlike for plant-based drugs such as Cocaine or Heroin. The manufacturing station can be located anywhere, and the same equipment can be used for different synthetic outputs. Traffickers can shift manufacturing, movement and marketing tactics to keep operating costs down and profit margins up, as well as to reduce risks of interdiction.
As synthetic drugs are more potent (some even inducing zombie-like conditions), traffickers can send smaller consignments, which are easier to conceal and sometimes use drones and other new trafficking techniques. Although global demand for plant-based drugs is still higher than the current supply of synthetic drugs, seizures of synthetic substances have already begun to outpace seizures of some plant-based drugs.
Along the border regions of Myanmar, as long as the EAOs turned a blind eye, every household compound or basement could be a synthetic drug lab, churning out thousands of tablets per day. And if they can turn a blind eye to the scams that cheat the poor and gullible without an ounce of conscience, why would they bother interfering when they are producing and exporting some drugs! After all, they have been one of the world’s top exporters of Heroin before.
I have personally spoken to one prominent business person from Kengtung in eastern Shan. He said the largest factories that supply the world with synthetics were located around the centre of Shan State, under the control of the Wa and Shan State Armies. The individual labs of ‘aspiring’ entrepreneurs are in empty land plots just on the outskirts of major towns and cities in these self-administered regions.
The difference between synthetics and scams is such that the latter is not additive. The demand for scams is diminishing while the demand for synthetics is growing exponentially, as the supply has exploded and prices have dropped. Combined with the addiction factor, we are looking at a worldwide disaster within a relatively short number of years.
Just like scam centres, lack of jurisdiction alignment would come into play, resulting in years of inaction, blame game and finger pointing, while the world youth succumbs to the synthetic enslavement and loss of productivity and economic output.
We need to start working together now; ASEAN, RCEP, Interpol, INCB, etc., to ensure that the problem is nib in the bud. We don’t want another deja vu cataclysm like the scam centres, do we??

GNLM

(Continued from yesterday)

https://www.gnlm.com.mm/drug-economy-network-of-the-aa-terrorist-group-and-the-perils-of-terrorist-attacks-part-i/

Drug-trafficking connecting with NUG-affiliated PDFs
The AA’s primary drug trafficking routes typically involve the route to Rakhine State via Shan State (North)-Mandalay-Yangon route by water and the route to Rakhine State via Mandalay-Meiktila-Magway-Padan by land. Due to increased arrests along these routes in 2024, the AA group is connecting with NUG/PDF groups, who are also hand in glove with it, and trafficking illicit drugs that are produced from Shan State (North) and Kachin State to Rakhine State in 2025 through PDF-operated areas in Sagaing Region and Chin State.
Consequently, a news report widely circulated that three PDF members were arrested with 3 million methamphetamine pills and 100 kg of heroin, estimated at over 9 billion Kyats (USD 2.5 million) by a Chin armed group in Haka Township on 8 July 2025. In fact, the drugs belonging to the AA group were transported by the PDFs, receiving a fee. It was revealed that the drug trafficking PDF members were from the Yinmabin District PDF group, under the NUG, and that they were trafficking drugs to raise funds for their group’s survival because the NUG does not provide support to PDF terrorist groups. They had previously succeeded in trafficking drugs three times, but were arrested on their 4th attempt.
This incident clearly demonstrates that the PDF groups under the NUG are emulating the AA group’s drug trafficking model and operating it as a business to sustain their groups. Furthermore, the AA’s drug distribution network has spread widely throughout Myanmar, shifting from the transport of drugs in small quantities frequently to the transport of drugs in large quantities less frequently through the areas they control. They themselves conduct drug-trafficking and collect tax revenue by allowing the drug-trade in the areas they operate. The drugs trafficked and distributed by the AA are being used extensively not only among young people in various villages and towns but also among members of armed insurgent groups.
Specifically, the confiscated dead bodies of AA members during battles in the Rakhine State and other evidence indicate that AA leaders often administer narcotics to their subordinates to endure the hardships of battle. Similarly, as PDF terrorists are also following suit, a market for psychotropic drugs is taking place within armed insurgent groups.

The AA’s foreign market for illicit drugs
The AA’s foreign market for illicit drugs extends from Bangladesh and Malaysia to Western countries and the Middle East. The incident that demonstrates this fact is the arrest of 13 members of a narco-gang between 5 and 14 August 2025, along with 21.8 million amphetamine pills, 5,614.2 kg of ICE (crystal meth), and 1,899 kg of Ketamine, estimated at 257 billion Kyats (USD 71.4 million). The offenders plotted to conduct drug trafficking to Malaysia and Bangladesh.
In this case, major-level ranked Ko Yay (Rakhine), the AA’s customs head stationed in Wan Hai and Win Khine (under identification of his rank) living in Myebon of Rakhine State are members of the AA group. Likewise, Tun Thein (Rakhine), living in Yangon and responsible for storing and distributing narcotics, and Kyaw Swar Win (Rakhine) from Kungyangon, who is responsible for trafficking drugs to Malaysia, are also AA’s supply in charge masquerading as civilians. Kyaw Han, the secretary and finance in charge of the AA group, operates behind the scenes.
In terms of the AA group’s drug economy network, AA members themselves transport, distribute, and sell narcotics at home and abroad. In situations like this, the group tasks individuals as in charge in the insurgent-controlled areas and assigns the business duty as well as supply duty to the Rakhine people masquerading as civilians in the areas where risks of arrest are high. The AA group not only smuggles its own narcotics but also provides safe passage for the narcotics of other armed groups through its areas, in return for tax collection.
According to the statements of those arrested in this case, drug-dealers made drug-trafficking from Wan Hai to Bangladesh and Malaysia through Myebon Township, where the AA group operates in Rakhine State. Once the drug-trafficking is conducted, the AA group would receive a total of 3,460.0 million Kyats as the tax revenue: 654.0 million Kyats for 21.8 million amphetamine pills at a rate of 300,000 Kyats per 10,000 pills, 2,807.0 million Kyats for 5,614 kg of ICE (crystal meth) at a rate of 500,000 Kyats per kilo of ICE. The AA group does not need to invest in drug-dealing itself, but instead has a representative in the drug-producing area and a representative in Rakhine State, and has its group’s civilian support in charge along the drug-carrying route, collecting net tax revenue for the drugs passing through its area.
Accordingly, it is evident that the AA group is heavily involved in both directly trading narcotics to meet its group’s financial needs and in allowing other narco-gangs to transit its area to collect substantial tax revenue.
More apparent evidence is that plenty of psychotropic drugs distributed and sold through villages and towns in Rakhine State, where the AA group operates, can be easily purchased in refugee camps within Bangladesh. This point can be clearly seen in the 2021 report of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) in Bangladesh. According to the report, there are approximately eight million drug users in Bangladesh, and the DNC manages to seize over 50 million psychotropic tablets annually. The seized psychotropic tablets were trafficked into Bangladesh via villages and towns controlled by the AA in the Rakhine State. The seizures reveal the involvement of AA members themselves in drug trafficking. Hence, there have been undeniable eyewitnesses and documents that the AA armed terrorist group is extensively carrying out drug trafficking operations not only within the country but also to foreign countries.

Mutual impact between the drug economy and acts of terrorism
The AA group’s drug economy network is connected both domestically and internationally. Revenue from narcotics has strengthened their arsenal of weapons and ammunition. As continuous battles occur, they are increasingly engaging in drug trafficking to replenish diminished arms and ammunition. Similarly, drug trafficking is causing more lawless acts of terrorism. To carry out more armed terrorist acts, they are increasingly pursuing drug trafficking as their primary business. The AA group’s armed approach, fuelled by drug revenue and manpower/weaponry, has escalated battles. Due to acts of terrorism, stability and peace in Rakhine State have been destroyed, and the public’s social life is declining.

Undeniable acts of terrorism
To ensure its survival, the AA group has indoctrinated its members with narrow-minded racial views through Rakhine racism. Consequently, the AA troops have been observed and heard to be brutally committing racially and religiously motivated violent attacks against other ethnic groups and tribes within Rakhine State. The recent widely reported incident in international news media, where approximately 600 Bengali people, including children and women, were brutally murdered in Htan Shauk Khan village, Buthidaung Township, in May 2024, exemplifies the AA group’s inhumane acts of terrorism.
Similarly, in June 2024, a sub-group of the AA terrorist group, led by Tun Wai, groundlessly murdered a total of 357 Muslims in Buthidaung: 87 men from 5 wards in the town, 135 men from Sein Nyin Pyar village, 95 from Nyaung Chaung village, and 40 from Taung Bazar village, accusing them of being associated with the government forces. The AA group, believing in Rakhine chauvinism, has not only forcibly recruited Bengali people, but also Chin and Mro people living in Maungdaw and Paletwa townships, and has also been known to commit bullying and killings. In December 2024, over 90 Mro people, including over 30 children under the age of 18 from Thittonenar Khwason village in Maungtaw Township, were forcibly abducted, and their families are worried as they have not been heard from so far.
Specifically, the AA group frequently launches drone attacks against Bengali villages in Buthidaung and Maungtaw regions, forcing Bengali people to flee as displaced persons. Similarly, it commits indiscriminate killings of innocent civilians in Paletwa, Pauktaw, Minbya, MraukU, and Kyauktaw Townships, and forces them to attend military training and collect money by extortion from those willing to have an exemption from military training.

The aforementioned drug trafficking network and terrorist acts of the AA terrorist group constitute crimes that no country in the world can accept. Although the group vehemently denies involvement in drug trafficking and terrorism, undeniable eyewitnesses and documents clearly exist.

Call for action to the international community
The issue of anti-narcotics has been a challenge for successive governments, and drug-trafficking is the main source of income for the survival of terrorist insurgents under the name of ethnic armed groups, and is also related to the prolongation of internal armed conflict. Therefore, the State Administration Council government has given special priority to drug prevention and suppression, and has eradicated and combated it with its own resources without international assistance. Even though it is actively cooperating with international organizations to be more effective and successful, it is unfortunate to see and hear that some foreign governments and anti-narcotics organizations are turning a blind eye to drug dealings and acts of terrorism by armed drug lord AA groups and NUG-affiliated PDFs and their acts of terrorism against innocent civilians.
Therefore, this is a call for action to international anti-narcotics organizations that it is required to combat armed narco-gangs like the AA terrorist group under the name of ethnic armed group, which is heavily involved in drug-trafficking, to more effectively suppress the drug-production, drug-trafficking and drug-dealing encountered by Myanmar, and to effectively prevent acts of terrorism that are strengthened by the drug trade.

GNLM

As Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, and Air) has been exerting targeted pressure and launching attacks on certain bases of the NUG, PDF, and some EAOs that are destroying Myanmar, it is already evident that there will be retaliation and false accusations from the supporters of these terrorist groups. Such things are no longer unusual in Myanmar politics.
When insurgents get hurt, this is how they speak, react, and put on dramatic, manipulative performances with wicked ways. The truth has yet to be known, but the lies have already spread far and wide, both domestically and internationally. This is the skilful work of professional saboteurs. No matter how it happened, innocent schoolchildren have lost their lives under the ruthless and heartless actions of a deceitful group of traitors who aim to destroy the nation.

Taking a human shield with beseeching
This is about a village called Ohtainkwin in Dabayin Township, Sagaing Region. Those terrorists accused Tatmadaw (Air) of bombing a school where classes were being held, resulting in the deaths of students. Now, whether the incident is logical or natural, whether it is justifiable or not, should we analyze it critically before forming an opinion? However, you try to think about it, it’s impossible to make sense of it. This is not a matter of blind denial. It’s just that this is the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Tatmadaw is structured with rules and codes of conduct, and it is a military that is recognized internationally, and it always pays attention to the needs of the people. It is Tatmadaw that protects the people. Because Tatmadaw fears harming civilians, and because it fears civilians being caught in the crossfire, it always acts with caution and consideration. That’s why, when encountering today’s destructive forces, Tatmadaw has to face many extremely difficult situations, and in some areas, it is not able to be as effective as it should be.
In places where there are students, religious and cultural heritage sites like pagodas and monasteries, extra caution is needed. Therefore, destroyers with malicious intent often set up camps specifically at schools, pagodas, and monasteries. They forcefully equip school-aged boys and girls with arms. They train them how to shoot small arms and how to make bombs so that they can kill people.
There is plenty of photographic evidence for this kind of information. In a way, it’s just emotional manipulation – using human shields and pretending to be victims to avoid casualties. Tatmadaw deliberately refrains from operating in such areas to avoid risks to itself. If any harm does occur due to military action, they use it to spread news internationally, portraying it as Tatmadaw indiscriminately attacking civilians, thereby setting traps through misinformation. Thus, Tatmadaw has repeatedly urged civilians to stay away from the terrorists and not to stay near them.
Just a scenario out of many scenarios 
In reality, this deception story is just one of the fabricated tales deliberately created by the NUG and PDF. There was even a firsthand account from a villager, who used to support the NUG and was present during the events and openly said, ‘If they want to kill me for speaking the truth, so be it.’ According to his statement, the PDF had been stationed at that school for a long time. The school had become a place where bombs to be installed at drones were being produced.
That day, there was a school photo session, so students and their parents were invited to the school. Since it was a place where explosive devices were being made, parents naturally didn’t want to send their children there. However, the children and their parents were not so lucky. The bombs exploded with a loud blast, killing and injuring a total of 22 people — 20 children and two teachers. A resident disclosed, “It wasn’t an airstrike. The explosion occurred because PDFs were carelessly making homemade landmines and bombs, which led to the detonation. If it had been an airstrike, the victims would have been severely mutilated, and the school would have suffered even more damage. Everyone in the village knows it was because of the PDFs. You’re welcome to come and investigate. The PDFs have threatened to kill anyone who speaks out, which is why no one dares to say anything.”

Assess and evaluate such an incident logically
Why, and based on what principles, can we say that the accusations made by the NUG, PDF, and their supporters are incorrect and false? Why does the government have a solid foundation and credibility for its official denials? How inaccurate and unreliable are the one-sided accusations and information from them? Let’s compare and think about it carefully… The truth is, this period is not the time for schools to open; it is the intense summer vacation period. So why are schools open now? Even if someone says it’s because it’s the NUG government which wants to open schools whenever it wants, how can we trust that they are opening schools at such a time and under such circumstances and directives when the NUG does not encourage education? The reason why it’s said that the NUG does not support education is because of the incidents where the NUG killed teachers and destroyed schools.
Another point is that the Myanmar Tatmadaw (Air) bombs they talk about as the 500 pounds (lb) and 1,000 pounds (lb) bombs are extremely powerful bombs. If they had exploded, such a wooden school building would have been destroyed for sure. According to ground reports, currently, there is no damage to the building walls; only some cracks on the ceiling and some peeling of corrugated iron sheets are seen, but no major destruction. There are no large holes or fire marks caused by explosions, and no dead bodies, like bits of shrapnel or other broken items, are found. Other furnishings are also undamaged. Furthermore, as the NUG said, there are no large craters caused by bombs either. So, the bombs that exploded were not the originally mentioned 500 lb or 1,000 lb bombs; instead, they turned out to be cluster bombs, causing scattered small explosions.
PanOrient News which was issued on 17 May 2025 quoted a retired military ordnance and explosives expert saying that the standard airforce bombs weigh 500 lbs or 1,000 lbs and would have obliterated the small woodframed school building, most of which remains standing. No bomb crater was found at the site. Moreover, it clearly stated the doubt of the expert that this possibility as a standard cluster bomb would break up in mid-air and send over 200 bomblets over a wider area of up to 7 acres.
According to experts, cluster bombs can break apart into many smaller bombs while still in the air before hitting the target. From the original large bomb, fragments can scatter up to around seven acres, with about 200 bomblets spreading out. These bombs are the type that can repeatedly cause serious harm to human lives. Because these kinds of bombs can keep fragmenting even after breaking apart, caution is necessary. Cluster bombs don’t just affect a single spot on the ground where they land – they can spread over many areas. There can be many pieces of dead bodies, and lots of damage can be found. For these reasons, cluster bombs may or may not be possible, but since there is no solid evidence, and because even 500 lb or 1000 lb bombs have been denied by the sources themselves, it’s unlikely…
Let’s assess more conflicting points. The backpacks and books of the children who were hit by the bomb did not get torn or blown away by the blast—why are they still intact and perfectly in place? The deception tactics are not consistent, lack certainty, and seem suspicious. When the photos sent by NUG were checked with an AI detector, it was also found that the accuracy percentage was completely off.
Because of this, now organizations like OHCHR and UNICEF Myanmar remain silent. When looking at the photos of those who have died, some pictures show their eyes open, as if they are not dead but just waking up. The photos with captions and texts that are circulated repeatedly are also edited several times.
When they talk about the events, they do it live, and you can also watch the person speaking. For example, there is a former Assistant Lecturer from Kalay Government Technological College named Daw Yati Ohn, who has been part of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) since 2021. Sometimes she carries a gun, fights on the front lines, and does humanitarian work. Whenever Tatmadaw drops bombs by plane in places like Sagaing and Chin, she immediately arrives at the scene, filming videos with emotional cries, and she is someone who can spread propaganda.
What I want to analyze is that, in the case of Myanmar, some issues are not simple, and the idea that there can never be a coincidence is simply not true. Recently, in the central and southern regions of the country, the NUG, PDF, and EAOs have been launching multi-front offensives. Meanwhile, in the northeastern and northern regions, due to military successes by the Tatmadaw against terrorists, it seems that the NUG is providing support to the weakening side — that’s also part of the picture. Because of this situation, it appears that pressure is being applied on the Tatmadaw from multiple fronts. I also see that this is being used to uplift the morale of PDFs who had been returning to the legal fold due to a gradual loss of motivation and less hope. Through these justifications, they are trying to gain international sympathy — essentially crying in front of the world — and using that to raise international funds and donations.
As long as the terrorists continue to treat every place they exist as a human shield, no matter how cautiously Tatmadaw issues repeated warnings to avoid harm, they and their accomplices will keep fabricating such orchestrated incidents and deceptive stories stemming from their actions. In this latest fabricated story, what the saboteurs failed to notice is that they keep reusing the same simple tactics over and over again. As a result, public trust and acceptance of them have continued to decline.
Whatever the case may be, what I want to say to the terrorists and their supporters is this: Please put aside your egos so that we don’t have to witness more heartbreaking incidents like this. For those who have truly lost their lives, please reveal only the genuine truth. Also, they have to show a bit of thoughtful reasoning when considering right and wrong, cause and effect. They have to stop justifying wrong values, misguided policies and goals, wrong methods, and unethical practices. This is all I can urge.
Translated.

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Importance of Bay of Bengal 

 The Bay of Bengal is the largest bay in the world, surrounded by the countries of Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, and divided by the chain of islands of Andaman and Nicobar in the east. The Bay of Bengal covers about 2.2 million km², where around one-fourth of the world’s population resides, and one-fourth of global marine trade flows, amounting to over 3 trillion USD in the total GDP of the regional countries. This makes the area a critical passage for important energy lifelines. The Bay of Bengal is an area rich in natural resources and highly suitable for a Blue Economy. It serves as a connecting hinge between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and holds strategic importance within the Indian Ocean Region. Approximately 6 million tons of fish and 50 trillion cubic feet of hydrocarbons could be harvested annually. It is also home to a diverse range of fish species, coral reefs, rivers, and biodiversity, making it a Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) region, ranked 64th in the world. Important ports in the region include Colombo, Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Chittagong, Mongla, and Yangon, making it a crucial area for food and energy security.

India is a leading power in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, aligned with its Neighborhood First Policy, Act East Policy, and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative. This is evident through its proactive and assertive maritime strategies in the Bay of Bengal. The Kaladan project and Sittwe port are strategically important for India, as they would provide a maritime route connecting India’s landlocked Northeast with Southeast Asia. The strategic importance of this region is also critical for China, with the Kyauk Phyu Port and fuel pipeline project being key to its fuel imports. Large oil tankers from the Middle East pass through the Bay of Bengal daily to meet China’s energy needs. As of today, a total of 316 crude oil tankers have entered the Kyauk Phyu and Ma-De Deep Sea Port in Rakhine State.

Bangladesh is primarily focused on the sustainable exploitation of the Bay of Bengal to serve its national interests and social development through the Blue Economy. As a result, the Bay of Bengal is now referred to as the "Collective Destiny" of the region. The interactions within the bay are shaped not only by geographical conditions, religion, trade, and commerce, but also by the natural forces that offer opportunities to overcome evolving challenges and emerging threats. These interactions emphasize the strength of unity and mutual understanding among the nations in the region.

The regional countries in the Bay of Bengal are experiencing high growth rates and play a critical role between emerging India and rising China. India, in particular, is implementing a maritime strategy that positions it as a security provider for regional stability, especially in the context of evolving threats to human security. The Bay of Bengal is of significant importance to India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar due to its strategic sea lanes, natural resources, energy sector, and oil and fuel exploitation. This region also sees a mix of conflict, competition, and cooperation under political, military, and economic strategies, particularly around the unresolved grey areas at the tri-junction of Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India.

Myanmar Waters in the Bay of Bengal 

Myanmar is a country with a vast coastline, facing the Andaman Sea to the south and the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal. The Indo-China Peninsula is divided into two by Myanmar's geographical position. To the east lies the Pacific Ocean and the ASEAN countries, while to the west is the Indian Ocean, including South Asia, effectively dividing the two major oceans and regions. Alternatively, Myanmar can be seen as a land bridge connecting these two oceans and regions. Kyauk Phyu port, Dawei port, and Thilawa Deep Sea Port, located along a coastline of 1,260 nautical miles and covering waters spanning 144,912 square miles, form the rim of the Indian Ocean. These ports are geographically significant and hold great potential as transit hubs for the development of regional trade.

Moreover, Myanmar has met several key requirements to become a major player in maritime trade in the region. For example, it has a long coastline with important ports, which could be linked to China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road plans, positioning them as regional business hubs. Kyauk Phyu Port is the most strategically located port within the Bay of Bengal, among Myanmar’s natural ports, and is the closest to China’s Yunnan province. Myanmar is connected to the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal by three main navigational channels: the Preparis Channel, the Ten Degree Channel (between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and the Great Channel (between Great Nicobar and Sumatra Islands). As a result, Myanmar’s deep-sea ports and port cities are well-positioned to facilitate maritime traffic, with vessels passing through the Indian Ocean to Myanmar via either the Arabian Sea–Sri Lanka waterway or the Malacca Strait.

Establishment of BIMSTEC...

In 1997, Bangladesh India Sri Lanka Thailand Economic Cooperation - BIST-EC was established by the Bangkok Declaration. After Myanmar became a member at the special ministerial meeting held in 1997, the name was changed to Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC). Then, Bhutan and Nepal became members at the 6th BIMSTEC Foreign Ministerial meeting held in 2004 and the name of organization was changed to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) at the first summit of BIMSTEC.

The BIMSTEC Charter has been endorsed and approved by the heads of member countries, and BIMSTEC is an organization with legal personality, operating based on established rules and regulations. Cooperation within BIMSTEC is grounded in the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, non-aggression, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. It is also stipulated that all decisions within BIMSTEC shall be made by consensus. The BIMSTEC chairmanship rotates among member countries, and Myanmar has held the position of chair twice, with Thailand currently in charge.

BIMSTEC marked its 27th anniversary on June 6, 2024 and the leaders of all BIMSTEC member States sent congratulatory messages and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Chairman of State Administration Council, mentioned in his excellency’s message as “I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all Member States for the collective efforts exerted under the BIMSTEC framework in addressing various challenges. I believe that our solidarity and systematic cooperation, guided by the BIMSTEC Charter. I wish BIMSTEC to be a stronger and more effective organization and to have every success in future endeavors of promoting the socioeconomic livelihoods of the peoples in the Bay of Bengal Region.” And he spotlighted the importance of BIMSTEC in the region. 

The 4th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting Towards Enhancing Regional Cooperation

Myanmar successfully hosted the 4th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs' Meeting from July 24 to 26, 2024. National security chiefs from member countries participated in the meeting, where they had constructive discussions on several key issues: combating drug-related challenges; maritime security and cybersecurity threats; improving information sharing across relevant security sectors; the current security situation in the region; preparing for potential security challenges; and identifying effective methods for addressing these issues.      

Successfully hosting the event not only strengthens the legitimacy of the State Administration Council government but also enhances cooperation with regional countries in the political, economic, and security sectors. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss approaches for jointly combating armed conflicts and drug smuggling in the border areas. Representatives from Thailand, Bangladesh, and India, who are indeed the neighboring countries of Myanmar, participated in the discussions.  

The entire BIMSTEC region has a population of 1.8 billion and it has been accounted for 22 percent of the world's population. The combined GDP of the BIMSTEC countries is over 3.6 trillion USD. Although BIMSTEC is different from other organizations as it was established by countries with different culture, language and lifestyle, all member countries are actively participating in economic, social science and technology sectors for their mutual benefits as the saying goes, “Unity is Strength”. BIMSTEC member countries include countries that are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as countries that are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). And therefore, BIMSTEC can also be assumed as a connecting bridge of the two major associations in the region. 

Maritime Security Sector of BIMSTEC 

At the BIMSTEC 4th Summit in 2018, Indian Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the maritime sector for socio-economic development and the future food security of the region and the importance of the Bay of Bengal as “our region's geographic location links global maritime trade routes and the Blue Economy is of particular importance to all of our economies.” Therefore, according to the importance of the role of maritime security in the Bay of Bengal, the role of the National Security Chiefs has included the maritime security sector and discussed and addressed it extensively.

 As the Bay of Bengal is directly adjacent to the five BIMSTEC member countries and provides access to the two remaining landlocked countries, Bhutan and Nepal, it offers opportunities to connect and create multi-sectoral cooperation across the entire Indian Ocean region, positioning the Bay of Bengal as the "Heart of BIMSTEC." While the Bay of Bengal has many opportunities for socio-economic development for BIMSTEC member countries, many conventional and non-conventional threats in there are also needed to be faced and overcame together. Port and trade routes security, fisheries protection and natural disaster management processes are included in coping with that. Efforts are being made to promote the maritime security sector, which is directly or indirectly supporting all seven areas of cooperation within the BIMSTEC organization, beyond normal security measures and into proactive cooperation activities that include diplomacy.

BIMSTEC is indeed elevating trade, investment and connectivity among member countries which leads to promoting regional economic development. In doing so, the Maritime Transport Agreement (MTA) would be able to sign at the BIMSTEC summit to be held in the near future and there would be good opportunities for mutual trade between the ports of member countries, and the flow of goods in the region would be rapidly improved by this agreement. Maritime trade among the member countries of the region, as well as opportunities to trade goods through Myanmar to the ASEAN countries and Asian countries, would also be flourished by centrally passing through the Bay of Bengal. Along with the development of maritime trade routes, the roles of navies in each respective country for maritime security would also become more important. Today, Myanmar Navy together with the navies of BIMSTEC countries are actively cooperating in Navy To Navy Staff Talks, CORPAT, Maritime Security Conclave, Maritime Security Exercise and other maritime security issues in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea within the Indian Ocean. 

BIMSTEC Towards Myanmar’s National Maritime Interests 

Myanmar has a great and solid basic for economic development through maritime trade as if the abundance of its natural resources, a reasonable population ratio, a long coastline and good ports can be used effectively. There are many fish resources, natural gas resources, also numerous highly valuable mineral resources beneath the shallow seabed of Myanmar together with great opportunities like presence of good ports like Kyauk Phyu and Dawei Deep Sea Port and being close to the world's trade routes. Moreover, there are very beautiful and attractive islands, underwater coral reefs, and many scuba diving sites with amazing underwater scenery for maritime or nautical tourism, so-called “smokeless industry”. Although the sea provides opportunities and interests for the respective countries, the waterways can become vulnerable entrances that can be easily penetrated by force in the absence of properly established defense measures for maritime security.

As everything that happens in the Bay of Bengal impacts Myanmar’s seas, it is closely related to the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, it is crucial to seize the opportunity provided by the geographical advantage of being adjacent to both the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, which connect Asia and South Asia. Additionally, Myanmar serves as a land bridge, acting as an intermediary between ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries. To further develop the maritime trade sector, regional maritime networks must be connected, enabling communication between the ports of regional countries. This can be achieved by upgrading key port cities such as Sittwe and Kyauk Phyu on the Rakhine coast, Pathein and Yangon in the Delta region, and Mawlamyine, Dawei, Myeik, and Kawthaung on the Tanintharyi coast. Such development will reduce dependence on border trade, which is currently limited by security restrictions.

Today, eastern coast ports of India such as Visakhapatnam, Kolkata and Chennai ports; Chittagong port of Bangladesh; Hanbantota port of Sri Lanka; Yangon, Pathein and Sittwe ports of Myanmar could be connected as a route for coastal shipping sector which all countries are the members of BIMSTEC in the Bay of Bengal. Although international maritime trades are conducted under the regulations of International Maritime Organization (IMO), Coastal Shipping Agreement is much simpler than the process of IMO which can be negotiated by bilateral consensus and new coastal maritime trade routes will be implemented quickly and simply. Therefore, a wish for Myanmar Navy, Myanmar Coast Guard and Maritime Police to actively involve in the maritime security sector while safeguarding maritime interests of the Bay of Bengal, which is connected to the Myanmar Sea together with the cooperation of BIMSTEC and to contribute to Myanmar’s national maritime interests by a guarantee for a safe and secure maritime domain.

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Myanmar hosted the 4th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting successfully on 24-26 July.

Security chiefs of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, as well as member states of BIMSTEC, attended the meeting. During the meeting, the participants frankly discussed the matters pertaining to combatting terrorism and narcotics, challenges of maritime security and cyber security, practical cooperation in information sharing in relevant security affairs, ongoing security affairs in the regions, and preparations to be made to overcome the possible security-related challenges.

National security advisers who attended the meeting, have highly vested powers in their respective governments and are the policy makers for international relations and national security affairs. Hence, their attendance and constructive talks were highly conducive to the SAC Government. The SAC Government strengthened its legitimacy because of the successful completion of such Senior Officials’ Meeting in Myanmar. Again, the meeting also provided ample opportunity for political, economic, and security cooperation and diplomatic prestige.

In particular, since neighbouring countries like Thailand, Bangladesh, and India are BIMSTEC member states, the ways to address armed conflicts and combat drug-trafficking along the border areas in a collaborative manner could be discussed.

BIMSTEC is a strong regional organization which is regarded as a product of the convergence of Thailand’s Look West Policy, which seeks to strengthen economic relations with neighbouring countries and beyond, and India’s Look East Policy, which seeks to cultivate economic relations closely with the nations of Southeast Asia.

BIMSTEC came into being on 6 June 1997. It was initially known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation) and was comprised of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. With Myanmar joining on 22 December 1997, the organization was renamed BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation). Bhutan and Nepal became new members of

BIMSTEC in 2004. As of 2023, the BIMSTEC region is home to around 1.8 billion people, that is, nearly 22 per cent of the global population, with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of USD 3.6 trillion. BIMSTEC is also considered a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Through this, it is an important organization to link the East Asia Region.

The BIMSTEC Charter prescribes that cooperation within the BIMSTEC will be based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, non-aggression, peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and mutual benefit. It also states that all decisions will be based on the consensus.

BIMSTEC differs from other organizations, which are comprised of different countries with diverse societies, faiths, languages, and cultural heritage. All Member States are carrying out activities to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, technical and scientific fields.

BIMSTEC is working under four main mechanisms: Summit, Ministerial Meeting, Senior Officials’ Meeting and BIMSTEC Working Group Meeting.

It mainly aims to create collaboration for rapid economic and social development. Nonetheless, it comes to take into consideration not only traditional security threats but also nontraditional security threats due to geopolitics, transnational organized crimes, arms smuggling, and narcotics smuggling. It also focuses on maritime security because of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.

During the 4th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting, the Member States discussed matters and shared experiences to prevent the spread of terrorism and violent extremism and eliminate illegal narcotics smuggling in the region under the theme “Regional countries’ cooperation in combatting terrorism and illegal narcotics”. The meeting gave means, opportunities and ideas for cooperation in counter-terrorism in the host country, Myanmar, as well as the region. It also explored collaborative ways to prevent nontraditional threats.

Myanmar geopolitically plays a vital role in links between ASEAN countries and South Asian ones. The successful completion of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting is an excellent movement for Myanmar in diplomatic relations and gave it the potential to trade promotion with the BIMSTEC Member States.

It had many opportunities for making border trade cooperation with India, which had 1.4 billion people in the West, rather than relying on China alone in the East. Again, it could seek ways to trade with Middle Eastern and European countries through India, the leading nation among BIMSTEC Member States.

BIMSTEC can link the cooperation between the two regional organizations as it comprises some Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Member States of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as well.

Myanmar’s neighbouring countries, Thailand and Laos, are in ASEAN Member States. Likewise, its neighbouring countries like Thailand, Bangladesh and India have joined the BIMSTEC. The neighbouring countries in BIMSTEC have a righteous attitude towards Myanmar. They have a balanced view and cooperation for mutual interests.

The active participation of the SAC Government, which is being blocked by diplomatic means, in BIMSTEC is very beneficial not only for BIMSTEC but also for Myanmar.

Since international terrorism and transnational crimes are posing threats to economic development and social progress in the BIMSTEC region, the meeting adopted policies and plans, including the exchange of information, to effectively combat terrorism and transnational crimes. In this regard, Myanmar is carrying out anti-narcotics measures.

Today, most global countries can no longer stand alone due to political, economic, social and security conditions. Only when it cooperates with another country or other countries will progress in the political, economic, social, and security sectors be achieved, and economic development will be made, too. Under these circumstances, regional organizations like BIMSTEC and ASEAN have been established to facilitate cooperation between the countries in the region.

Geographically, Myanmar, as a land connectivity between Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, can link a connection between BIMSTEC and ASEAN. I write this article stating that Myanmar is a unique country that can help combat terrorism in the security sector as well as eliminate narcotics and create not only the prospect but also a favourable environment for rapid economic development in the sub-region, the BIMSTEC’s vision.

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar