India's reluctance to shake off her once imperial presence in Myanmar continues to cloud bilateral ties between the two countries. The United Kingdom and India, involved in the governance of Myanmar since Britain's annexation in 1885, have the grandest ambassadorial residences. But they are also the two countries who have the least influence on the rulers in Yangon. The British residence was once that of the general manager of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company; Britain took it, and the green- walled staff compound over when the company was wound down in the 1950s. The Indian residence housed the chief agent of the Imperial Bank of India until its rebirth as the nationalised State Bank of India in 1954. In a city of grand though decaying houses, the 106-year-old residence sets it apart, despite it being marred by a huge parabolic dish, in the upper balcony, to tune into satellite television stations; is so large that it has quarters for 22 servants quarters and spacious grounds; the 'pangka' hooks can still be seen on the ceilings.
