Independence and sovereignty are two of a nation’s characteristics the world legal experts and political scientists have standardized. They said that to be able to stand in the international community, a nation had to have (1) territory, (2) population, (3) sovereignty and (4) independence.

Myanmar has its territory. King Anawrahta reunited the scattering regions into the First Myanmar Empire. Taking a stronghold in Toungoo, King Bayintnaung brought disintegrated regions together to establish the Second Myanmar Empire. Shwebo (Konbaung) U Aung Zeya (King Alaungphaya) founded the Third Myanmar Empire and delineated the territory of the nation.

When the Third Myanmar Empire became weak in military prowess, the British colonialists annexed the nation. Myanmar national races thus had to sacrifice a lot of lives, blood and sweat to regain territory. The Union of Myanmar today has (1) territory, and (2) more than 56 million people of more than 100 national races. (3) Since Myanmar regained independence, successive Myanmar governments have taken charge of State duties. (4) Myanmar is an independent and sovereign nation. Therefore, Myanmar stands tall in the world with all the four characteristics of a nation. Sovereignty, independence or practice of democracy in accordance with the consent of the majority of the people, and meeting the standards of human rights reflect the image of an independent nation.

Sovereignty means the right to serve the interests of the nation and the people freely or self-determination.
Under the UN Charter, every independent nation shall become a member of the UN after pledging to follow the principles of the Charter and enjoy the rights therein. The Charter prescribes that all member nations shall recognize and respect the sovereignty of other members. There shall be equality among big and small nations holding only one vote for each nation. Members are to refrain from committing acts of aggression against the territory of others and the UN and other nations are not to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations and disputes are to be settled through negotiations rather than the use of force, and every member nation is entitled to self-determination.

International legal norms support the principles. The principles of the Bandung Declaration (resolution passed at Bandung Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955) of the 118-member Non-Aligned Movement are similar to the principles of the UN Charter. The fundamental principles and objectives of the ten-member ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) and the principles of the ASEAN Charter include cooperation for development, peace and security, and non-interference of the Association in the internal affairs of members.
Myanmar joined the United Nations in 1948, in which it regained independence. It is one of the nations that initiated the Non-Aligned Movement. Myanmar, a member of the ASEAN, upholds nonaligned foreign policy and Bandung principles.
Now, the government is dedicating itself to the national development tasks in line with the nation’s geographical features, characters of national races, historic experiences and consent of the majority of the people. As a result, it managed to put an end to internal armed conflicts that had disrupted national development for 40 years. The government has been able to realize projects for all-round development of the whole nation, tenaciously braving a wide range of blockages, disruptions and destructive acts. The purpose of the government’s endeavours is nothing more than enabling the people of national races to fully enjoy the taste of independence.
Myanmar people have placed gravity on perpetuation of sovereignty or independence, for which the people had to launch battles with tenacity against the colonialists, and on perpetual existence and prosperous future of the Union that was unified with national solidarity and Panglong spirit or Union Spirit based on patriotism. National races have made efforts to regain independence, chart brighter future of the nation and ensure non-disintegration of national solidarity.
To maintain independence, to protect the Union, and to ensure perpetual unity of national brethren are the three national duties or bounden duties of Myanmar people.
Myanmar has more than 25 million acres of cultivated lands. Now, reclamation of vacant and virgin lands and watershed areas is in progress and so the nation has potential for over 20 million more acres of arable lands. About half the area of the nation is covered with forests. The nation is rich in precious stones and it produces crops in abundance. The nation gets sufficient water from rivers, creeks, lakes, dams and rains for agriculture. Other mineral products such as gold, silver, bronze, zinc, iron, tungsten, antimony, and oil and gas are almost inexhaustible. In addition, peace has been restored throughout the Union.
With these good conditions, the seven-step Road Map is being implemented to transform the nation into a peaceful, modern and developed one with flourishing discipline. The National Convention has adopted the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles for drafting a State constitution that is necessary for every independent nation. The government is building all possible foundations for building a democratic nation. In the process, the third step — drafting a State constitution — is well under way.
After the State constitution has been drafted by the Commission for Drafting the State Constitution, it will be presented to the people and sought their approval through a referendum. And after elections are held, the Hluttaw is to be convened, the President elected and a government formed, a peaceful, modern and developed discipline-flourishing nation will be built under the leadership of the President and the Union Hluttaw.
Then, the sovereign Union of various national races will enjoy progress and will be pleasant for ever. Being able to build a prosperous Union harnessing the natural resources represents the taste of independence, freedom of activities, or self determination of the people.
I have presented that a nation’s characteristics are (1) territory, (2) population, (3) government, and (4) sovereignty. However, supposing the government of a nation is an alien government, that nation will be just a colony. If so, sovereignty, fundamental rights of the citizens and natural resources will fall in the hands of the colonialists.
Furthermore, supposing a government of axe handles under the influence of aliens comes to power under the arrangements of a foreign country, such a government will be a puppet. If so, aliens behind the puppet government will manipulate the internal affairs and exploit the natural resources. And the nation will be in a position to be under the yoke of aliens through indirect ways (neo-colonialism). Therefore, it is incumbent upon every citizen of every independent nation to protect and safeguard their motherland constantly from having its territory occupied and secession of any part. And the onus is on all citizens to ward off the schemes of the neo-colonialists with patriotic spirit and nationalistic fervour in order that the mother country will not lose sovereignty and fall under alien subjugation. The government that will have to serve the interests of the nation and the people must be a national government that will never be under the influence of aliens. Besides, they have to protect the sovereignty of the nation considering it to be their soul. The day on which sovereignty is lost will be the day on which the people lose their soul or freedom of activities.
The entire people are, therefore, to pursue the Myanmar independence policy or bounden duty of safeguarding the Union and independence, while dealing with all forms of destructive acts, preserving the fine traditions of the nation, and bearing in mind the forefathers’ sacrifices to help the nation regain independence.