Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today said India and Myanmar would explore new initiatives and define a roadmap for further boosting of bilateral ties with focus on trade, investment and connectivity.
In his statement before leaving on a three-day visit to that country, he said recent years have
witnessed significant strengthening and expansion of the bilateral relations.He asserted that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Myanmar, a close friend and a neighbour.
Dr. Singh said his visit provides an opportunity to review the progress in implementation of decisions taken during the highly successful visit of Myanmar President Thein Sein to India in October last year.
The Prime Minister, who will hold talks with Sein tomorrow at Nay Pyi Taw, said that during his visit to Myanmar he hopes to focus on stronger trade and investment links, development of border areas, improving connectivity between our two countries and building capacity and human resources.
Dr.Singh, who will also meet leader of the opposition and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon on Tuesday, said India welcomes Myanmar's transition to democratic governance and the steps taken by its government towards a more broad-based and inclusive reconciliation process and offered to share democratic experiences with that country.
Since taking office more than a year ago, President Thein Sein has surprised many critics by releasing Suu Kyi from 15 years of house arrest and allowing her National League for Democracy (NLD) to contest and win parliamentary elections in April this year, freeing other political prisoners, opening talks with ethnic rebels and easing media censorship and restoring labour unions right to strike.
Dr. Singh said he was looking forward to address a cross-section of Myanmar society and interact with the Indian andIndian-origin community in Yangon on the final day of his visit.The Prime Minister said the shared history and culture of India and Myanmar provides a strong basis for the enhancement of contacts between the people of our two
countries. He retirated that India is committed to a close, cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership with the
government and people of Myanmar.
Dr. Singh said he is looking forward to visiting the historic Shwedagon Pagoda, a testament to 2600 years of Buddhist heritage, and the grave of the last Emperor of India, Bahadur Shah Zafar, in Yangon.The two countries are expected to sign a number of agreements in energy sector and connectivity during the visit.
A number of agreements will be signed during the visit. Apart from the one relating to an offshore gas block awarded to private Indian company Jubilant Energy in global competition and a passenger bus service , pacts in the areas of security, invesement promotion and trade are slated to be inked.
AIR correspondent covering the Prime Minister’s visit reports from Nay Pyi Taw that Dr. Singh will be accorded ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace tomorrow. Elaborate arrangements have been made to Welcome Dr. Manmohan Singh at new capital of south-eastern neighboring country.
Entire Nay Pyi Taw town new and emerging capital of Myanmar has been decorated nicely. Flags of both the countries are furling at most of crossing, squares and the key points of the town. Massive security arrangements are also in place and security personnel are deployed at venues and the place where Dr. will stay.The visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Myanmar is taking place after 25 years.
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has arrived at Nay Pyi Taw international airport on his three day state visit to Myanmar.
