India probing presence of Swedish arms in Myanmar

India is investigating how Swedish-made weapons purchased by the Indian army turned up in Myanmar in violation of EU sanctions, the Press Trust of India reported on Saturday, quoting official sources. Sweden asked India on Thursday to clarify how the weapons wound up in Myanmar after it was revealed the Indian army had bought the arms, Trade Minister Ewa Bjorling told the Swedish parliament. "Sweden has raised the issue with us. We are looking into it. But we have never sent any lethal weapons to Myanmar," an unnamed Indian official was quoted as saying by PTI. Bjorling said the Swedish Agency for Non-Proliferation and Export Controls (ISP) had informed her the arms had come from India. Pictures taken in Myanmar and published in Swedish media this week showed a Carl Gustaf M3 anti-tank rifle and ammunition left behind by Myanmar government soldiers. The weapon's serial number is clearly visible in one of the photographs. India's foreign affairs ministry could not be immediately reached for comment on the report. According to a story published in Britain's Independent newspaper, the weapons were used by Myanmar troops in their fight against ethnic Kachin rebels in the country's far north. The rebels urged Myanmar's military to end hostile operations in September after fighting broke out last year when a 17-year ceasefire between the two sides collapsed, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. Several rounds of talks seeking to resolve the conflict have been overshadowed by ongoing battles. The European Union has had a weapons embargo against Myanmar since 1996. On Wednesday, an ISP spokeswoman said it was "relatively unusual" for Swedish weapons to end up in the hands of third parties.