Whatever one’s stance on the various Myanmar rebels fighting the oppressive regime, this American and the Ukrainians involved violated Indian laws and regulations and probably violated some international laws and were caught. They likely knew the risks.
India and Myanmar have relatively strong relations; this is likely a pragmatic, strategic relationship driven by economic and security interests. India won’t want to jeopardize that relationship; ergo, New Delhi is obligated to stop any monkey business that originates from India’s side that would directly affect Myanmar.
Border control, domestic and international laws, security, and regional and international relations, among other factors, all play a role in this matter.
A quick search found that “India does not have a dedicated anti-mercenary law or a specific statute governing private military companies, but mercenary activities are effectively illegal under existing criminal and arms regulations”. There is India’s Arms Act…
–RdM
🔴 Jamestown — Executive Summary:
◉ Matthew VanDyke is a U.S. Citizen and founder of Sons of Liberty International, an organization that claims to provide military training to foreign rebel groups worldwide. He has participated in global conflicts across Libya, Syria, and Ukraine, where he provided such training
◉ Indian authorities arrested VanDyke and six Ukrainians in March under anti-terrorism laws for allegedly trespassing into Myanmar, where they trained rebel groups in drone warfare.
◉ India fears this drone training might empower its own ethnic insurgents. VanDyke remains detained in Tihar Jail and recently commenced a hunger strike protesting alleged mistreatment.
To read more, see the Jamestown report: https://jamestown.org/matthew-vandyke-u-s-citizen-arrested-in-india-for-training-myanmars-rebels/
Also see the India Today report, ‘American mercenary Matthew VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians arrested in India by NIA’: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/american-mercenary-matthew-van-dyke-six-ukrainians-arrested-india-nia-myanmar-junta-2883373-2026-03-17
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/p/gXhDidW9
Myanmar has dozens of active rebel groups, known locally as Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), alongside post-coup People’s Defence Forces (PDFs).
Major Alliances
- Three Brotherhood Alliance: A powerful coalition fighting the military junta, which includes:
- Arakan Army (AA): Active in Rakhine and surrounding states.
- Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA): Active in the Kokang region of northern Shan State.
- Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA): Active in northern Shan State.
Prominent Ethnic Armed Groups
- Kachin Independence Army (KIA): Based in Kachin State and northern Shan State; one of the strongest armed groups.
- Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA): The armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), active in southeastern Myanmar.
- Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF): Active primarily in Kayah State.
- Chin National Army (CNA): Active in Chin State.
- United Wa State Army (UWSA): The largest ethnic armed group, controlling the self-administered Wa region, largely maintaining an armed neutrality stance.
- Shan State Army (SSA-S / SSA-N): Major groups operating across Shan State.
