Though a junta-era Constitution, according to which those with foreign spouses or children cannot hold the executive office, prevented her from becoming president (her sons are British), Ms. Suu Kyi retains strong control over the country’s government. During Ms. Suu Kyi’s trip to Beijing, China and Myanmar pledged to forge closer ties as “blood brothers” and enhance trade. India was a strong critic of the Myanmar junta and Indian elites have long admired the freedom struggle led by Ms. Suu Kyi. India had few options but to reverse its decade-old policy of isolating Myanmar’s junta and engage substantively with it instead. However, India’s strategic interests demanded that it only gently nudge Myanmar’s junta on the issue of democracy.

Source: The Hindu August 24, 2016 19:41 UTC