Democracy, it is often said, is a luxurious, chaotic political system that tends to be cacophonic and inefficient for many regimes, but over time, especially since the 19th century onwards, democracy has proven to be the best form of government. In this context, the unfolding sequence of events concerning the coup and resultant crackdown on dissent in Myanmar assumes significance.

What is more significant is the fact that the woman who is in the eye of the storm - Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been the torchbearer of a democratic movement in Myanmar - has been forced to stand on trial. She has been slapped with sedition charges evoking an international outcry and a call for coordinated global action to help Myanmar restore democracy.

If any country has been affected the most by these unfortunate events in Myanmar, it is none other than India- the world’s largest democracy, which is regarded as the torchbearer of liberal democracy in the modern world. While it was expected that India would take a firm stand against the erosion of democratic institutions and values in Myanmar, it was bewildering to notice that India remained a silent bystander even as hundreds of people were killed by the Tatmadaw - the official name of the armed forces of Myanmar - to silence dissent.

India has limited itself to only issuing a statement expressing “concern” at the events in Myanmar and called for the restoration of democracy. This is not just a travesty of justice but also signals a complete dereliction of duty on the part of the incumbent Indian establishment to remain a mute spectator to the events in Myanmar.

The powers that be should realize that remaining a silent bystander will only undermine New Delhi’s international stature as a free and robust democracy that loves the values of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Diplomacy, it is said, is complicated stuff involving a lot of permutations and combinations, but is it above the democratic values and lives of ordinary people? Notwithstanding the strategic value of Myanmar as a trade partner and an important counter-terror ally, India must recognize that what the military junta in Myanmar has done through the orchestration of a coup is highly wrong and must rescind its decision immediately.

India has itself been a victim of imperialism and understands rightly just how precious democracy is. Thus, since its independence, the country has historically lent support to democratic movements around the globe.

Needed a more vocal India

New Delhi must hold the military junta in Myanmar to task. India can become more vocal in articulating its position on the situation in Myanmar. One may mention here India’s stand in relation to Pakistan and China that terror, aggression and trade talks cannot go hand in hand. It must deliver a similar message to Myanmar in no uncertain terms.

India can also at the United Nations spearhead resolutions condemning the coup in Myanmar and call for international action against the Tatmadaw,  most notably economic and military sanctions to prevent the Myanmar military from further throttling the democratic rights of the country’s ordinary citizens.

India must also call for the immediate release of incarcerated state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and help her by providing diplomatic support. This would send a message to the world that whenever and wherever democratic voices get threatened India will always stand up to defend these values and protect them without letting other foreign policy calculations color its judgment of any such fragile situation.

India, as a neighbor and responsible major power, must allow better sense to prevail and show strong solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their fight for reestablishing democracy.

It is only when a nation helps others that it can expect to get help in return. India’s cultural values have historically helped other nations. It is time India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Myanmar in these trying times when democracy is on the verge of dying a slow death in Myanmar.

(The writer is a student of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The views expressed are personal)