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It is amazing how India can be so blind towards developments in its western neighbour, Burma, and the ongoing political oppression there. The world's largest democracy is doing a big disservice with its silence. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a man of virtue when it comes to Burma. He sounds like an accomplice with the Burmese military junta. It is beyond the regional and international community's understanding why India keeps defending Burma - even though the junta leaders are thugs.

The conventional wisdom is that New Delhi is protecting its turf inside Burma, which has been won through drastic changes of its position 15 years ago. Lest we |forget, India used to be one of the biggest supporters of Burmese pro-democratic movements and students in exile. Then, the Indian leaders saw China's southward influence kept expanding and spreading. Instead of helping to accelerate positive changes inside Burma, they decided to play the trade-off game plan devised by Burma.

Today, India believes that it has struck a deal with Burma along with an energy plan and the use of sea ports inside Burma. It is an open secret that India wants to counter China's growing economic clout in the Bay of Bengal. But it will be a wasteful exercise. Just look at how wrong Asean was when Burma was admitted into the group as a way to balance the Chinese influence. Look at what has transpired in the past decade. China's presence inside Burma, not to mention the rest of Southeast Asia, has increased rapidly and permeated the social fabric there. The best way is to manage the relations with China and play on Beijing's growing international responsibility. Joint statements from the UN Security Council and the ministerial conference of Asia-Europe Meeting in Hanoi last month on Burma and the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi showed the adroitness of Beijing's diplomacy and the international sentiment.

It is sad that India remains the only country - among those who matter on Burma - which still keeps quiet. More than a 100 Indian politicians have called on their government to intervene and help to free the opposition party leader and bring democracy there. Indeed, their demands were a bit too far-fetched. What India can do best is to behave like China - respond to the outcries and international sentiment. Certainly, India behaves uniquely in global affairs. But on this particular issue, the newly established government must take heed of what is going on with the farcical trial and the plight of other political prisoners. Furthermore, international solidarity is needed if there are going to be changes in Burma.

Burma has been able to get away scot-free playing one power against the other, using its rich energy and natural resources as baits. India, China as well as other countries are subjected to manipulation by Burma's energy diplomacy. Somehow all of them, except India, do come out and express their outrage over the latest developments. But it is a shame that India continues its silence.

The time has come for India to change its soft approach to Burma. Indeed, several countries are reviewing their foreign policy towards Burma in view of the current situation. India will be a loser in the future if it continues to entertain the idea that silence is golden at this junction. New Delhi is wrong to think that it will be rewarded for its continued inaction. Like it or not, India's international image and reputation has been tarnished greatly.

Apparently, India has not learned from its bitter history with Southeast Asia. Back in 1979, India was the only Asian odd ball that recognised the Vietnam-backed Heng-Samrin regime in Phnom Penh, much to the chagrin of Asean. Bilateral ties with the region were downgraded and took over a decade for India to catch up with Asean. When India became flexible and pragmatic, it produced great results. Look at Asean-India relations now, they have progressed tremendously.

At the moment, the very least India can do is to break its silence and support Asean's position and the chair's statement on Suu Kyi and call for inclusive election next year that is free and fair. Failure to do so would be a huge sham.