Saturday 20 / April / 2024
New Delhi: India on Monday promised all possible support to Myanmar's new government in ushering in a new pathway of development as the two sides resolved to step up overall engagement and "actively" cooperate in combating terrorism and insurgent activities in the region.
In wide-ranging talks with Myanmarese President U Htin Kyaw, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed that India will stand by with Myanmar at "every step" of its new journey and that it wants to take the ties to "new heights".
Modi's assurance to Htin Kyaw, on his first foreign trip after assuming the top office in April, came amid China's diplomatic offensive in reaching out to Myanmar's new dispensation.
Earlier this month, Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's most powerful leader and Foreign Minister, chose to visit China first over India.
"Let me assure you that at every step of the way 1.25 billion people of India will stand by (with) you- Both as partners and as friends," Modi said, adding, "A bright future for Myanmar is not just your objective. It is also our aspiration."
Monday's talks were first top-level engagement between the two countries after government of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy came to power following the historic elections that brought curtains down on decades-long military rule.
The two sides signed four MoUs to boost cooperation in areas of connectivity, medicine and renewable energy, besides agreeing to deepen ties in a range of sectors, including agriculture, banking and power.
Reading out a statement to media with Htin Kyaw by his side, Modi said both sides recognised that each other's security interests are closely aligned and the two countries agreed to work together to combat terror and insurgent activities in the region.
"We recognised that our security interests are closely aligned. And, we agreed on the need to remain sensitive to each other's strategic interests and concerns.
"To this end, President and I agreed to work together for the safety and security of our people. And, actively cooperate to combat the common challenges of terrorism and insurgent activity in our region," Modi said.
Myanmar, considered one of India's strategic neighbours, shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-infested Nagaland and Manipur.
India has been raising with Myanmar the issue of several northeast militant groups having training camps in that country.
Ways to combat the insurgent groups active in northeast and ensuring better border management were deliberated upon.
Both sides also deliberated on maritime security cooperation in the Bay of Bengal.
Resolving to boost cooperation in agricultural sector, both sides also agreed to work towards a long-term and a mutually-beneficial arrangement for trade in pulses.
Calling Myanmar a "bridge" that connects India with South East Asia, Modi said, "Our discussions on Monday have enabled us to evolve a road map and an action agenda for our cooperation."
Modi said two agreements signed on Monday will facilitate the construction and upgrading of 69 bridges and the Kalewa-Yargi road section of the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project.
He said he has also conveyed to the President India's full support to the peace process initiative under the '21st Century Panglong Conference'.
"Buddhist principles of 'metta' or loving kindness and 'Sarva Pantha Sambhava' (equality of all religions) define our ways of life," he said, while complimenting maturity of Myanmar's leadership and commitment of its people to democracy.
Htin Kyaw on his part said his government wants to strengthen ties with India.
Talking about intensity of bilateral ties, Modi said its extent and depth are shaped by a robust development cooperation partnership, which has a strong "people first" philosophy.
"India's nearly $2 billion development assistance is touching the lives of the common man of Myanmar. Our engagement is supporting projects in connectivity, infrastructure, capacity building education, healthcare and many other sectors," he said.
Giving example of India's assistance, he talked about the Kaladan project and said its port and waterway segment were nearing completion later this year.
"In April this year, we took the small step of supplying power to Tamu in Myanmar. I have told the President that we are willing to substantially scale up our supply of power," Modi said.
Talking about cultural ties, he said it is a "key centrality" in the foundation of the ties.
"I am happy that our partnership is restoring Ananda temple in Bagan in Myanmar. We are also ready to restore other historic monuments and pagodas, which were damaged in the earthquake which hit Myanmar just last week," he said.
The Myanmarese President arrived in the Buddhist pilgrimage town of Gaya on Saturday where he visited the Mahabodhi Temple, the most sacred of Buddhist shrines, Daijokyo Buddhist Temple and Myanmar Buddhist Vihara.
He travelled to Agra on Sunday and paid a visit to Taj Mahal before arriving.
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Htin Kyaw.
