Prime Minister lands in Myanmar on a three-day visit to discuss trade and investment | WPN World People News

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here on Sunday on a three-day visit to discuss matters related to trade, investment and border issues with the Eastern neighbour, one that India claims is integral to its Look East Policy.

Dr. Singh is expected to deliberate over India's quest for energy and China's growing influence in the southeast nation, besides meeting Nobel Laureate and leader of National League for Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister said India attaches highest importance to its relations with Myanmar, and added that the two nations will consider new initiatives and define a roadmap for further development of cooperation in the years ahead.

Dr. Singh, who is visiting Myanmar at the invitation of Myanmar President, said, "This will be my first visit to Myanmar. It will also be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Myanmar after a gap of 25 years."

Dr. Singh said in his departure statement, "India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Myanmar, which is a close friend and neighbour. Recent years have witnessed significant strengthening and expansion of our bilateral relations."

"My visit to Myanmar will provide an opportunity to review the progress in the implementation of decisions taken during the highly successful State Visit of the President of Myanmar to India in October last year. We will also consider new initiatives and define a roadmap for the further development of our cooperation in the years ahead," he added.

Dr. Singh said stronger trade and investment links, development of border areas, improving connectivity between the two countries and building capacity and human resources are the areas that he hoped to focus on during his visit.

" We also hope to sign a number of Agreements/MOUs to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation in these areas, besides promoting people-to-people contacts," he added.

Asserting that India stands ready to share its democratic experiences with Myanmar, Dr. Singh said: "India welcomes Myanmar's transition to democratic governance and the steps taken by the Government of Myanmar towards a more broad based and inclusive reconciliation process."

Dr. Singh, who will hold talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein at Nay Pyi Taw on Monday, said India remains committed to a close, cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership with the Government and people of Myanmar.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet the Indian-origin community and pro-democracy crusader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon.

"In Yangon, I will have an opportunity to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I also look forward to addressing a cross-section of Myanmar society and interact with the Indian and Indian-origin community," said Dr. Singh.

"Our shared history and culture provides a strong basis for the enhancement of contacts between the people of our two countries. I look forward to visiting the historic Shwedagon Pagoda, a testament to 2600 years of Buddhist heritage, and the Mazar of the last Emperor of India, Bahadur Shah Zafar, in Yangon," he added.

Source: Southeast Asia News.Net