New Delhi, Maintaining that “silence” over the recent developments in Myanmar would damage India’s interest in the region, former Prime Minister I K Gujral has said the country should support the pro-democracy movement in the neighbouring country.

“We cannot watch silently… We cannot afford to keep silent and the military rulers (In Myanmar) must understand that they cannot count on India,” he said on ‘India Tonight’ programme on CNBC TV18 conducted by Karan Thapar.

On External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s hope that all sides will resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue, Gujral said he felt “embarrassed” that only these words have been used.

The former Prime Minister said he agreed totally that Mukherjee’s statement had let down India. “We are not only imperiling but really damaging our own interest in the region,” he said.

To a question, Gujral said he would not buy the theory that India had some commercial interest in Myanmar. “We do not have any such commercial interest (in that country which should compel us to take a particular line,” he said.

Participating in the discussion, Tint Swe, former MP of pro-democracy party headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, claimed that 100 people have died in the current demonstration in Yangon.

He said a “strong message” and “concrete action” were needed from world leaders for restoration of democracy in Myanmar.

Former Samata Party chief Jaya Jaitly said it was time for all Indians to speak out.