The recently held elections in Myanmar from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026 were called out by nations across the world for not being ‘free and fair’. The results led to a thumping victory by the USDP, the military-backed political party. Speculation has intensified that Junta chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing may become president, heading the Union Advisory Council that will oversee the government.
While many blanks are yet to be filled, Rami Desai, Distinguished Fellow at the India Foundation, who was in Myanmar as an international observer during the elections, told StratNewsGlobal on The Gist, that the elections were fairly peaceful. Whether through strict electoral laws (including the death penalty for disruptions), robust polling infrastructure, technical development of EVMs, or Chinese-provided tablets, the junta ensured a compliant political field.
China’s inroads in Myanmar go well beyond ground support.
“The product penetration of the Chinese in Myanmar is huge. The political influence is substantial too, whether it’s with the ethnic armed organisations or its relationship building with the Tatmadaw.”
From India’s point of view, a major concern is the vulnerability of its border, given the breakdown in law and order following the civil war. Myanmar is seen as the epicentre of narcotics entering India’s North-East.
As Desai notes, “I think a major concern is the continuing conflict across India’s borders. It is something that is not just going to be difficult for us to resolve, but it will have sub-consequences in terms of narcotics trade and weapons trade, with the continuation of the insurgencies of the ethnic armed organisations.”
The months ahead will be crucial as the junta transitions to a new chief under the watchful eyes of an old one. There’s nothing to suggest an imminent end to the civil war, and China’s shadow may well lengthen over this shattered land.
Watch the whole video here.
