India and Myanmar (also known as Burma) reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two friendly neighbours. In presence of visiting Myanmar President Htin Kyaw in New Delhi, both the countries reiterated their cooperation on security and defence, which is crucial for maintaining peace and stability along the Indo-Myanmar border.
In a joint statement issued on 29 August 2016, New Delhi and Naypietaw reaffirmed their shared commitment to fight the scourge of terrorism & insurgent activity in all its forms and manifestations. Both sides also agreed to maintain their commitment not to allow any insurgent groups to use their soil for hostile activities against the other.
“They emphasized on the need for enhanced cooperation between security forces and border guarding agencies for securing peace, security and stability in the border area. The two sides agreed that Maritime Security Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal is vital for them,” said a statement issued by the Indian Union government in New Delhi.
It also added that both the countries agreed that an arrangement for supply of pulses from Myanmar to India would be in the mutual interest of Myanmar farmers and Indian consumers. They encouraged Indian companies to cooperate with Myanmar farmers in order to improve the quality of pulses production and thus ensure better marketability of the produce in India.
The Myanmar President thanked India for the power supply that commenced from India across the Moreh-Tamu border on 8 April. Both sides agreed that this is a small but critical step towards further integrating the countries and economies for the mutual benefit of the two nations. The two sides agreed to further expand cooperation in oil exploration and hydrocarbon sector.
Myanmar side has invited Indian companies to participate in competitive tender for petrochemical and petroleum products marketing infrastructure and setting up LPG terminals.
An important memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of Traditional Medicine with the Burmese Ministry of Health & Sports was also signed by the Ministry of AYUSH in New Delhi on Monday.
The MoU was signed by Indian Secretary of AYUSH Ministry Ajit Mohan Sharan and Burmese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Burmese President Htin Kyaw in New Delhi.
“Both countries share a heritage of religious, linguistic and ethnic ties. Myanmar has a substantial population of Indian origin. Further, Myanmar is our gateway to South East Asia and ASEAN with which India has been seeking greater economic integration through India’s ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ Policy,” said a statement adding that in recent years, the relationship of the two countries has been marked by close contacts at the highest political level including cooperation in the field of health and medicine.
Photograph caption: Myanmar President Htin Kyaw being received by India President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 29 August 2016.
