Rather quietly, India has answered the call to fulfill it's part in it's relations with Burma and has halted arms sales to the junta.
The Indian government's decision has not been officially announced, but diplomatic sources said it has been privately confirmed by New Delhi to top U.S. officials in recent weeks. In a little-noticed statement, first lady Laura Bush noted the decision in a video teleconference she held on Dec. 10 in recognition of International Human Rights Day. Ticking off actions taken by countries around the world in response to the crackdown, Bush said, "India, one of Burma's closest trading partners, has stopped selling arms to the junta."
If true, this would be a direct reaction from the violent crackdown on the peaceful September Protest in Burma.
According to the Hindustan Times, the second largest newspaper in India, on November 26 the South Block office (India's prime minister's office, the ministry of defense and ministry of external affairs) told the newspaper that India "believes contact with the junta is in its strategic interest, but also wants to send out a message that it is not quite business as usual any longer."
Official confirmation has yet to come for one reason or another. If this turns out to be the case indeed, India's actions would send a strong international message to the generals in Burma. They will still be able to acquire arms from China and Russia. No one is thinking there can be a halt to that. But by this move India defines itself as a nation in their approach to dealing with Burma, and it would be a tremendously positive step forward.
