Government unhappy with Rajyavardhan Rathore's remark that Army entered Myanmar for covert strike

NEW DELHI: A section of the government is unhappy with statements of MoS for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore that Indian forces entered Myanmar for a covert strike, wishing to distance itself from the same as part of changing narratives to please an upset Myanmar.

At least two senior ministers told ET that Rathore’s statements “were avoidable” as they have put Myanmar in a “tight spot” ahead of October elections there. “We understand Myanmar’s compulsion to deny that the operation happened on their soil. With the impending elections there, it is in their national interest to say so. We have no issues with that as our interest has been served. But Rathore’s statement was avoidable,” one of the ministers said. Another senior minister said: “Rathore should have not spoken like that…what was the need?”

Rathore could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. The government knows much is at stake as it wishes to neutralise or press Myanmar to hand over NSCN(K) chief SS Khaplang, a Burmese Naga. The Centre has a report that he is admitted in a military hospital in Yangon and has requested the Myanmar government that its Army “should protect him” as he is a Myanmar citizen. “We need co-operation from Myanmar — there are 61 insurgent camps across the border,” said the minister quoted earlier. Doval’s visit will be an effort to discuss a blue-print for future strikes.

The Myanmar presidential office reiterated that Indian forces had not entered Myanmar and said all action happened in India, according to a Reuters report. The statement added Myanmar was willing to cooperate with India to tackle insurgency. The Wall Street Journal had earlier quoted Myanmar officials admitting Indian forces had entered Myanmar.