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India, Myanmar sign 5 pacts

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, July 28, IRNA -- India and Myanmar Tuesday evening signed five pacts in New Delhi.

Pacts, including one in the field of security and agreed on close cooperation between security forces of the two countries in tackling the pernicious problem of terrorism were signed after Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh held talks with visiting Myanmar military ruler General Than Shwe over a wide range of issues, including counter-terror cooperation, enhanced energy ties and collaboration in a string of developmental projects.

According to a joint statement issue here Tuesday, the two leaders expressed their desire for greater economic engagement and in this context, Singh conveyed India's commitment to continue with developmental assistance to Myanmar.

It said, the Myanmar side expressed deep appreciation for the generous and concessionary credit facilities given by India to finance significant infrastructure and other projects.

Understanding that continued cooperation will lead to success in fighting the insurgency issue, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation and collective efforts of the two countries along the border.

To enhance road connectivity, especially through the State of Mizoram, both leaders announced the construction and revamping of the Rhi-Tiddim road at a cost of more than US $ 60 million to be financed through grant assistance from India. The Myanmar side expressed its appreciation for this gesture.

The leader of Myanmar reiterated Myanmar’s support for India’s bid for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. He also conveyed its support to India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC for the term 2011-2012.

Earlier, Senior General Than Shwe who began his five-day visit at Bodh Gaya Monday before arriving in Delhi, was accorded a ceremonial reception at Presidential Palace here Tuesday.

He was received by the President of India, who hosted a banquet in his honour.

General Than, who arrived here at the invitation of the President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, is accompanied by his wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing.

Apart from his official engagements in New Delhi, Senior General Than Shwe visited places of economic, historical and religious interest.

This visit is a part of a series of high-level contacts that India and Myanmar have had over the past few years. These include visits by Vice Senior General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, in April 2008 and Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, in February 2009, said a statement issued here by External Affairs Ministry.

M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, S. M. Krishna, External Affairs Minister and Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition called on Senior General Than Shwe.

India and Myanmar are close and friendly neighbours linked, inter alia, by civilizational bonds, geographical proximity, culture, history and religion.

Apart from a boundary that stretches over more than 1640 kilometers and borders four North-Eastern states of India, there is a large population of persons of Indian origin in Myanmar.

Bilateral relations are reflective of these multifarious and traditional linkages and the two countries live side by side as close neighbors based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.