From Sri Lanka to Myanmar: India’s Shadow Wars

In the backrooms of South Asia’s power corridors, whispers of India’s covert operations have long persisted. From fueling insurgencies to propping up political allies, New Delhi’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been accused of shaping the region’s conflicts to serve its strategic ambitions. While India presents itself as the region’s democratic powerhouse, allegations of interference in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar tell a different story—one where national sovereignty is often compromised in the name of regional dominance.

Sri Lanka: The Lingering Ghost of Civil War

In the 1980s, RAW’s covert wars turned South Asia into a battlefield, from training LTTE in Sri Lanka to fueling insurgencies in Myanmar and Bangladesh. India provided support to Tamil militant groups, including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), with training camps in Tamil Nadu, significantly escalating the Sri Lankan Civil War.

The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), sent in 1987 to enforce a peace agreement, quickly turned into an occupying force, facing fierce resistance from the very groups India had once backed. India’s meddling in Sri Lanka didn’t just end with the LTTE—its fingerprints are all over decades of bloodshed and chaos. The scars of this intervention still linger in Colombo’s political circles.

Bangladesh: The Iron Grip of ‘Big Brother’

While India played a critical role in Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971, allegations of political meddling have shadowed its relationship with Dhaka ever since. Critics argue that New Delhi’s influence over the ruling Awami League government has turned Bangladesh into a proxy state.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has turned the Bangladesh border into an execution zone, slaughtering civilians without consequences. Rights groups have documented hundreds of civilian deaths at the hands of BSF personnel, raising alarm over India’s militarization of the border.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina’s government has been accused of suppressing opposition voices under India’s watchful eye. Hasina’s downfall is a nightmare for India, as Bangladesh finally rejects the iron grip of its so-called “big brother.” As Bangladesh approaches a political transition, India’s influence could be at risk, leading to potential shifts in regional alliances.

Myanmar: The Arms Dealer of a Military Junta

India’s northeastern states share a porous border with Myanmar, a region long plagued by insurgent activity. While India claims to support democracy in Myanmar, it has maintained deep military ties with Myanmar’s junta, supplying arms and defense equipment despite international condemnation.

India’s arms factories have been working overtime, fueling Myanmar’s military junta with the tools to commit war crimes. A UN report exposed India as a key supplier of military hardware to Myanmar’s junta, even as the regime cracks down on pro-democracy activists.

New Delhi’s double game is exposed—arming Myanmar’s junta while pretending to champion human rights on the world stage.

Shifting Tides: India’s Influence Faces Pushback

Recent geopolitical developments signal potential shifts in India’s regional influence:

New Delhi extended an unprecedented invitation to Myanmar’s anti-junta forces for a seminar in September 2024, a move seen as a tactical shift to hedge its bets.

The election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Sri Lanka in 2024 is viewed as realignment of Colombo’s foreign relations, potentially moving away from India’s orbit.

As South Asia’s political landscape evolves, India’s covert influence is being challenged like never before.

Also See: India, Cyber Espionage, and Political Influence: What Canada’s Report Unveils

South Asia’s Biggest Threat?

The BJP government cries foul over foreign interference, yet its own intelligence agencies have been orchestrating chaos in neighboring states for decades.

While India presents itself as a stabilizing force in South Asia, its covert operations, political maneuvering, and military dealings tell a different story—one that has left behind a trail of instability. South Asia’s biggest threat isn’t terrorism—it’s India’s relentless interference, fueling wars, propping up dictators, and destabilizing entire nations.

As Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar reassess their political futures, the question remains: Will India continue to pull the strings, or is its regional dominance beginning to unravel?

Disclaimer: SAT Commentary is an independent analysis and commentary on developments, trends, and happenings published by South Asia Times (SAT). It provides insights into regional trends, geopolitical developments, and emerging narratives. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the institution’s official stance.

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