Press trust of india
New Delhi/Nay Pyi Daw, August 22: Myanmar will not allow its territory to be used for any anti-India activities, this was conveyed by Myanmarese leaders to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who assured “all help” to the new government that came to power in March after decades of
military rule.
In the first high-level visit from India after the civilian government assumed office here, Swaraj called on President U Htin Kyaw and held talks with state counsellor and foreign minister Aung San Suu Kyi on key bilateral issues, including cross-border activities by certain insurgent groups. Describing India as a friendly country, Myanmarese President U Htin told Swaraj that he looks forward to a “very productive partnership”.
“Myanmar leadership assured that they will not allow any insurgent groups to use any territory for action against India, (that) they all recognised is a friendly country which has stood by people of Myanmar and they look forward to a very productive partnership with India as Myanmar continues on its journey of peace, progress and development,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
The issue of cross-border activities by certain insurgent groups was taken up by Swaraj in her maiden meeting with the country’s first democratically-elected President in five decades, according to sources. Swaraj’s visit comes just days after the Indian Army had an encounter with NSCN-K militants in Nagaland who were trying to enter the country from Myanmar. While reports suggested that the Indian Army had crossed over to Myanmar, it was denied officially by India.
Swaraj also discussed with the Myanmarese leadership how India can help in Myanmar’s development efforts. They discussed a number of areas of possible collaboration, such as power. India is already supplying 3 MW electricity to Myanmar through the Moreh-Tamu link but this can be further upgraded, Swarup said. Cooperation in renewable energy, transport, health, education and social development was also discussed during the meeting Swaraj had with the leadership here.
They also discussed the possibility of strong cooperation in area of agriculture, particularly pulses where there is a possibility of importing large amount of pulses from Myanmar, Swarup said following Swaraj’s 45 minutes-long meeting with Suu Kyi.
Congratulating Suu Kyi for the victory in the “first genuine election”, Swaraj assured her of “all help”. “India is committed to strengthening your democratic institutions and socio-economic development of your people,” Swaraj said during her meeting with Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy party won a historic landslide election last year.
