Why India is engaging Myanmar's military despite backing restoration of democracy

Amid the civil war, Myanmar's military on July 31 extended by six months the state of emergency imposed in the country since the 2021 coup d'état, signalling another postponement to elections it had pledged. This instability within Myanmar, and resurgent Chinese influence since the coup have raised serious concerns for Delhi amid India's geopolitical competition with China. While Delhi has been calling for restoration of democracy in Myanmar, it has simultaneously made overtures to the country's military rulers. Observers suggest that Delhi's need to protect its own immediate goals have forced these seemingly divergent approaches it has taken. Instability in…