Abhay K Singh replies: Since the last two years, ASEAN has faced significant criticism for its lack of effective action towards the restoration of democracy, rule of law and effective governance in Myanmar. It has often been argued that the Myanmar imbroglio has significantly undermined ASEAN’s reputation in the international arena and has cast doubts on the concept of ‘ASEAN centrality’.

Akash Sahu replies: A junta regime is composed of military officers who seize ruling power in a country. It may be seen as a subset of military rule, as the primary institution driving a junta government is the military. The junta government led by military leader Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar is a classic example. The Myanmar junta usurped power through a coup in February 2021, refusing to recognise the elections in which former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) had a landslide victory.

Rup Narayan Das replies: Economic engagement in terms of trade, commerce and investment between two sovereign countries is always normal and legitimate, and no third country should have any qualms about it. Like apple and orange, it would be unfair to compare China’s economic engagement with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar with that of India. China’s gross domestic product (GDP) is roughly five times that of India and it also has a robust reserve of foreign exchange, which it is investing through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).