‘We believe that rule of law and democratic process must be upheld’: MEA on Myanmar military coup

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday expressed deep concern after Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected leaders were detained by the country’s military, reported ANI.

In a statement, MEA said, “We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar.”

It added, “We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely.”

According to AFP, Suu Kyi along with other top civilian leaders were detained by the military, which ruled the country for nearly five decades, alleging fraud in November’s elections.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesperson  Myo Nyunt told AFP that Suu Kyi, along with President Win Myint, were detained in the capital Naypyidaw.

He said, “We heard they were taken by the military… With the situation we see happening now, we have to assume that the military is staging a coup.” The military then declared a one-year state of emergency in the country.

Several nations condemned the military coup in Myanmar and urged the military to release the detained leaders. In a statement, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, “The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed.”