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Myanmar's foreign policy with Israel is characterized by a pragmatic approach, focusing on economic

and military cooperation while navigating the complexities of international relations. Here are the key
aspects of their bilateral relations:

### Political Relations

1. **Diplomatic Ties**: Myanmar and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1953. The relationship
has been stable, though not particularly prominent on either country’s foreign policy agenda.

2. **Non-Aligned Movement**: Historically, Myanmar has been part of the Non-Aligned Movement,
which included maintaining relations with a wide range of countries, including Israel.

### Economic Relations

1. **Trade**: Economic interactions between Myanmar and Israel are relatively modest. Myanmar
imports technology and agricultural products from Israel and exports agricultural goods and raw
materials.

2. **Investment**: Israeli investment in Myanmar is limited but includes sectors such as agriculture,
water management, and technology. Israeli companies have been involved in providing agricultural
technology and expertise to Myanmar.

### Military and Security Relations

1. **Military Cooperation**: Myanmar has historically purchased military equipment from Israel,
including small arms and surveillance technology. This cooperation has faced international scrutiny and
criticism, particularly in light of Myanmar’s human rights record.

2. **Training and Technology**: Israel has provided military training and technological support to
Myanmar, although specific details are often not disclosed due to the sensitive nature of defense
relations.

### Development and Humanitarian Assistance

1. **Agricultural Development**: Israel has contributed to agricultural development in Myanmar


through the transfer of technology and expertise in water management, irrigation, and farming
techniques.

2. **Humanitarian Aid**: While not a major focus, Israel has provided some humanitarian assistance to
Myanmar, particularly in response to natural disasters.

### Cultural and Educational Exchanges


1. **Cultural Diplomacy**: Cultural exchanges between Myanmar and Israel are limited but exist in the
form of academic collaborations and occasional cultural events.

2. **Educational Programs**: Some educational exchanges occur, with Myanmar students and
professionals participating in training programs in Israel, particularly in agriculture and technology.

### Human Rights and International Pressure

1. **International Scrutiny**: Myanmar’s military cooperation with Israel has been criticized by human
rights organizations and has attracted international attention, particularly concerning arms sales amidst
the Rohingya crisis.

2. **Balancing Relations**: Myanmar attempts to balance its relations with Israel against its broader
foreign policy objectives and international pressures, including maintaining ties with other Middle
Eastern countries and adhering to international human rights norms.

### Current Status

1. **Recent Developments**: The relationship remains pragmatic, with both countries continuing low-
key cooperation in areas of mutual interest. However, international scrutiny and changing geopolitical
dynamics influence the extent and nature of their interactions.

2. **Human Rights Concerns**: Myanmar's internal political situation and human rights record continue
to impact its international relations, including with Israel.

In summary, Myanmar's foreign policy with Israel is characterized by pragmatic cooperation in economic
and military sectors while navigating the complexities of international scrutiny and geopolitical
dynamics. The relationship is stable but influenced by broader international pressures and Myanmar’s
internal political context.
Rating the relationship between Myanmar and Israel on a scale of 1 to 100 involves considering various
aspects such as political relations, economic ties, military interactions, and international diplomacy.
Based on the available information, here's an assessment:

- **Political Relations**: 60/100

- Myanmar and Israel maintain stable diplomatic relations, with embassies in each other's capitals.
Their relationship is based on pragmatic cooperation, although it is not particularly prominent on either
country's foreign policy agenda.

- Political engagement is steady, with both countries adhering to a principle of non-interference in


internal affairs.

- **Economic Relations**: 50/100

- Economic interactions are modest, with trade and investment focusing on sectors such as agriculture,
water management, and technology. Israel has contributed to agricultural development in Myanmar
through technology transfer and expertise.

- The economic relationship is stable but not extensive, reflecting the relatively small trade volume
between the two countries.

- **Military and Security Relations**: 70/100

- Military cooperation has been significant, with Israel providing military equipment and training to
Myanmar. This cooperation has faced international scrutiny and criticism, particularly concerning human
rights issues.

- Despite international criticism, the military relationship has been a strong aspect of their bilateral ties.

- **International Diplomacy**: 55/100

- Myanmar balances its relationship with Israel against broader international norms and pressures.
Israel's diplomatic engagement with Myanmar is pragmatic, focusing on areas of mutual interest while
navigating international scrutiny.

- Both countries face international pressure concerning their respective human rights records, which
impacts their diplomatic strategies.

- **Cultural and Educational Relations**: 40/100


- Cultural and educational exchanges are limited but exist in the form of academic collaborations and
occasional cultural events. Some Myanmar students and professionals participate in training programs
in Israel, particularly in agriculture and technology.

- These exchanges contribute to mutual understanding but are not a major focus of the relationship.

### Overall Rating: 55/100

This overall rating reflects a relationship that is characterized by pragmatic cooperation, particularly in
military and economic sectors, while navigating international scrutiny and balancing broader diplomatic
strategies. The relationship is stable but influenced by external pressures related to human rights and
geopolitical dynamics.

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