As a sign of global solidarity for the situation in Myanmar, the United Nations Security Council issued a Presidential Statement in which India played a constructive role.

The UNSC reiterated deep concern about the development in Myanmar while condemning the violence against peaceful protesters.

The statement expressed deep concern over restrictions against medical personnel, civil society, labor union members, journalists, and media workers and called for the immediate release of all those detained arbitrarily. This is the first time the UNSC statement has condemned the violence in Myanmar.

Interestingly, immediately after the UNSC statement, the Chinese envoy to the United Nations Zhang Jun had issued a statement and parroted the line of Myanmar’s military.

In the UNSC statement, China said, now it’s time for de-escalation. It’s time for diplomacy. It’s time for dialogue. Adding, the international community should create an enabling environment for relevant parties in Myanmar to address differences under the constitutional and legal framework.

The US, which is the chair of the UNSC for the month of March also issued a statement commending the courage and determination of the peaceful protestors in Burma in the face of continued, brutal attacks by military and security forces.

The US does not recognize Myanmar as the official name of the country but refers to it as Burma. Myanmar was the name adopted by the country’s military in 1989.