Myanmar coup: Think-tank holds secret talks with some ASEAN members, neighboring countries

An Indian think-tank hosted a secret conference with representatives from neighboring countries, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including Myanmar, this week. The talks were part of a secretive effort to end the violence that Myanmar has been facing since the generals seized power from its elected government in 2021.

Two sources told Reuters that the talks were held on Tuesday and included both government and think-tank representatives from India and China, and ASEAN members Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and the current ASEAN chair Indonesia.

The talks that took place this week were part of a “Track 1.5” dialogue that began in Thailand last month and also comes as the 10-member bloc has expressed frustration with the lack of progress by the junta to adhere to the peace plan it agreed upon shortly after the coup.

The conference included a discussion on reducing violence on all sides, creating space for dialogue, and the delivery of humanitarian aid, according to one source. The source also said that the next meeting will be held in Laos.

The other source said that those in attendance are looking to bring in the shadow National Unity Government of Myanmar, made up of politicians the Myanmar military ousted in the coup, and outlawed by the junta as “terrorists.”

“They are wanting to talk with NUG at some point of time officially, because the NUG and the Myanmar army haven’t spoken officially at all,” said the source. “These are the hopes that the participants have.”

NUG spokesperson Kyaw Zaw said it was open to dialogue with neighboring and regional countries. Kyaw Zaw said that the NUG “welcome all efforts from the international community to end the violence and atrocities in Myanmar.”

Meanwhile, former United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said in a statement following a visit to Myanmar that he intends to do all he could in order to ensure that the people of Myanmar “secure the peace, prosperity, and freedom they deserve.”

Ban said that his visit to Myanmar, at the invitation of the junta, was “exploratory” while urging the junta to immediately stop the violence and engage in constructive dialogue. Ban also stressed that the NUG must also be part of the dialogue.