Myanmar's military ruler General Than Shwe arrived in India on Sunday on a five-day state visit aimed at forging closer security and economic ties. Gen Shwe, who is leading a 77-member Myanmarese delegation, flew by a special plane to Bodh Gaya in Bihar where they offered prayers at the famous Mahabodhi Temple. The delegation, which also visited the Buddhist heritage sites at Rajgir and Nalanda, was felicitated by Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee Secretary N Dorje and its member Arvind Kumar. The delegation would leave for Varanasi on Monday morning before leaving for Delhi, where the military ruler will be accorded a red-carpet welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will hold talks with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on economic and security co-operation and a series of trade deals are expected to be signed during the visit. Gen Shwe, who is Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), will also meet President Mrs Pratibha Devi Singh Patil. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna will call on the visiting dignitary.