Political transitions often tend to be prolonged and dotted with many uncertainties. In the recent past, India’s eastern neighbour Myanmar, with whom it shares a 1,468-km long border, has been undergoing such a transition. The country’s current constitution came into effect in 2008, and after a prolonged rule by the military junta, elections were held in 2010. The election was widely criticised for a lack of transparency, and the National League for Democracy (NLD) did not participate. The military ensured that the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won comfortably. A relatively freer election in 2015 resulted in a landslide victory of democratic forces led by the NLD. However, with a constitutional reservation of at least 25 per cent of the seats for the military, the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) continues to have a significant role in Myanmar politics.
