China is the biggest supplier of rare economy elements
China is the biggest player of rare economies (ie rare minerals) in the world today. These minerals are very important for modern things like mobiles, computers, batteries, electric vehicles and solar panels. Now China has joined hands with active rebels in the northern part of Myanmar to get more control over these minerals. The Kachin area of Myanmar is full of rare meaning minerals. Earlier this area was under the control of Myanmar government, but now there are rebel organizations like Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).
According to the Economics Times report, China has quietly compromised with these rebel groups. Under this, China has been allowed to mining and in return it pays huge amount to the rebels as tax. In this way, China is extracting rare meaning minerals on a large scale from the unstable and sensitive area of Myanmar and these minerals are being transported to China very close to the border of India.
China occupies Myanmar mines
When there was a military coup in Myanmar in 2021, about 240 new mines were opened there in just four years. Surprisingly, two-thirds of these mines are in rebel areas and this is proving to be a jackpot for China. So far, China has imported more than 1,70,000 tonnes of rare minerals from Myanmar. These minerals are very important for China’s technology and industry.
Some time ago, Kachin rebel organization KIO took over these mines and stopped supply to China. But this stop could not last for a long time. Soon the pro -China militia again captured these mines and the mineral supply started again. Kio says that they do not know any tax deal with China. But the truth is that Chinese mining companies have quietly deal with the rebels. All this is happening behind the curtain, so that China continues to get mineral supply.
It is not easy for India to bring minerals from Myanmar
Recently, news came that India is now looking towards Myanmar for rare economies. The government is preparing to deal with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), a rebel organization there, not from the government of Myanmar directly.
According to a report by Reuters, India is collecting samples of Rare Earth Minerals from Myanmar with the help of KIA. The report quoted sources as saying that the Mining Ministry of India has asked government and private companies to take samples from the mines present in the Kachin area of Myanmar and also see whether the mineral can be transported from there or not.
The names of two companies have been revealed in them
- Government Company IREL
- Private company Midwest Advanced Materials, which was found government funds to make Rare Earth Magnets last year.
But it is not so easy for India to extract minerals from these mines. These areas are in dense forests and fall close to the border of China. China does not want India to get the supply of these minerals, so it will try to put an obstacle in every way. India has just started the work of collecting samples of minerals, so that it can be ascertained how much and how much quality minerals are present there. The rebel organization has also said yes to this work. But now it will take a long time to start mining and supply on a large scale. That is, we can say that at the moment this is just a beginning, the destination is still far away.
Local people are getting upset
In the rebel areas of Myanmar, the work of mining is now being completely left to the local people, and all these Chinese companies are getting them done. There is a lot of pollution during mining. Poisonous chemicals are dissolving in rivers and ground, which has spoiled the lives of people living in nearby villages. Farming has become difficult and even drinking water is not left clean. Global Witness reports say that the poor and tribal communities of Myanmar are being badly affected by the move of China. These are the same people who are paying the price of the “green energy” of the world, that is, clean power race.
China is taking advantage of itself from all sides
Recently, Prime Minister Modi met Myanmar’s military ruler Min Aung Having at the SCO Summit. The conversation talked about issues of defense and border security. But the real problem is that Myanmar’s condition is getting more entangled and China is behind it. China is joining the Myanmar government on one side, and on the other side is also dealing inside the rebel groups there. That is, he is taking advantage of himself from all sides, from the government and also from the rebels. India has now become clear that China’s grip in the rebel areas of Myanmar is becoming stronger. In such a situation, India will have to work fast on its policy and planning, otherwise China will win the game here too.