Plans are underway for India to assist Myanmar in building offshore patrol boats and increase its military training.
The move follows talks between the visiting Myanmar navy chief Admiral Thura Thet Swe and Indian defence officials.
Over the last several years, India has been building deeper economic and military linkages with Myanmar.
Their long relationship built under British rule was disrupted when international sanctions were applied against the military regime in 1988.
AUDIO: Kanaha Sabapathy for Asia Pacific (ABC News)
Professor Brahma Chellaney from the Centre for Policy Research in Delhi says with international sanctions being lifted, India's strategic space vis a vis Myanmar has now increased.
"India now can cooperate more closely with Myanmar and they can actually engage Myanmar more constructively," Mr Chellaney said.
"All these developments have actually allowed India to strengthen its cooperation with Myanmar.
Dr John Blaxland, senior fellow at the Strategic and Defence Study Centre at the Australian National University, says Myanmar must move cautiously so as not to upset China which sees its influence over Naypidaw reducing.
"They know that China is not all that happy about Myanmar finding many other friends," Dr Blaxland said.
"The level of influence has been challenged by the influx of american interest, India's interest.
"Naypidaw has had to play a very careful balancing act...They're happy to take Indian support, Indian collaboration and cooperation but only to a point," he said.
Mr Chellaney says Myanmar which was forced into a close relationship with China because of international sanctions is now reasserting its autonomy and nationalism.
"For them, closer engagement with India is an important means of regaining that autonomy," he said.
Mr Chellaney says India also stands to benefit from assisting Myanmar.
"For India, closer engagement with Myanmar is a very important instrument to build regional security," he said.
India to assist Myanmar military - Australia Network News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The move follows talks between the visiting Myanmar navy chief Admiral Thura Thet Swe and Indian defence officials.
Over the last several years, India has been building deeper economic and military linkages with Myanmar.
Their long relationship built under British rule was disrupted when international sanctions were applied against the military regime in 1988.
AUDIO: Kanaha Sabapathy for Asia Pacific (ABC News)
Professor Brahma Chellaney from the Centre for Policy Research in Delhi says with international sanctions being lifted, India's strategic space vis a vis Myanmar has now increased.
"India now can cooperate more closely with Myanmar and they can actually engage Myanmar more constructively," Mr Chellaney said.
"All these developments have actually allowed India to strengthen its cooperation with Myanmar.
Dr John Blaxland, senior fellow at the Strategic and Defence Study Centre at the Australian National University, says Myanmar must move cautiously so as not to upset China which sees its influence over Naypidaw reducing.
"They know that China is not all that happy about Myanmar finding many other friends," Dr Blaxland said.
"The level of influence has been challenged by the influx of american interest, India's interest.
"Naypidaw has had to play a very careful balancing act...They're happy to take Indian support, Indian collaboration and cooperation but only to a point," he said.
Mr Chellaney says Myanmar which was forced into a close relationship with China because of international sanctions is now reasserting its autonomy and nationalism.
"For them, closer engagement with India is an important means of regaining that autonomy," he said.
Mr Chellaney says India also stands to benefit from assisting Myanmar.
"For India, closer engagement with Myanmar is a very important instrument to build regional security," he said.
India to assist Myanmar military - Australia Network News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
