India proposes panel to address border issues with Myanmar

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Jan 25, IRNA -- In a bid to strengthen military ties with Myanmar, India has proposed a number of measures including the setting up of a committee under a three-star officer with its eastern neighbour to improve coordination and address issues along the border.

A proposal has been moved to set up a committee under a Lieutenant General-rank officer to address the issues related to the management of border between the two countries, pti reported quoting sources.

They said from the Indian side, the proposed Committee will have representatives from the central armed police forces and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

They said it is likely to help in improving coordination between the two countries in case militants cross over from India or Myanmar into each other's territory.

India has also offered road construction equipment to Myanmar for improving connectivity in bordering areas and across the border.

At present, the two sides have the Indo-Myanmar Border Level Meetings, which are held at battalion level and the Commanding Officers meet in every three months.

To promote defence ties, India has also proposed to provide bailey bridges to the Myanmar Army for improving connectivity in hilly and jungle terrain there.

For encouraging adventure activities there, India is also providing five hang-gliders to the Myanmar Army and will also help in setting up these adventure sports nodes there.

These gliders are expected to be supplied to Myanmar by the end of this year.

India has also offered to increase the number of vacancies reserved for Myanmar's troops in the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla in Pune, they said.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30780530