India today said that leader of the opposition and leader of the National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi will play a defining role in the process of national reconciliation in Myanmar. Making a statement after having a forty minutes meeting with democracy crusader Suu Kyi at Yangon, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said it was a great honour to get an opportunity to interact with her.

The Prime Minister handed over UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's invitation to Suu Kyi to visit India and deliver the next Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture. The Prime Minister expressed hope that she will find it possible to visit India soon and deliver the lecture. He further said that Suu Kyi’s life and her struggle and determination have inspired millions of people across the world. He gave his best wishes to Suu Kyi for noble endeavor in which her colleagues and she are engaged.

In her statement Suu Kyi said India and Myanmar have shared true ties of friendship for many long years. She said even struggle for independence in India and Burma took place at the same time. Suu Kyi added her parents were admirers of Pundit Nehru. She is very happy for having closer ties with India. Suu Kyi said that she is very happy at the prospect of having closer ties with India as the two countries have much to learn from each other and to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

She said she is gratified with the invitation to deliver the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture.

Later interacting with Media in Yangon Prime Minister said that he enjoyed talking to Suu Kyi and he learnt a lot what empowerment is all about.

Suu Kyi said that she got the message of peace and cooperation among the people of two countries from the Prime Minister.