Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 23:
India�s security concerns in the north-east, cross-border infrastructure development projects and energy cooperation will figure prominently during talks External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh will have with top leaders in Myanmar during his four-day visit commencing tomorrow.
Singh will call on Head of State, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Prime Minister Lt.Gen Soe Win and hold wide-ranging discussions with his counterpart U Nyan Win spanning the entire gamaut of bilateral issues.
The visit takes place against the backdrop of a highly successful State visit to India by Than Shwe in October last year, and "is aimed at carrying forward the on-going high level dialgoue between India and Myanmar," MEA stated here.
The Kaladan multi-modal transport project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, the India-Bangladesh-Myanmar gas pipeline and the Tamanthi hydro-electric power project will also figure on the agenda.
Apart from a review of bilateral relations, the visit shall also provide an opportunity to discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, the ministry said.
India considers Myanmar as an important neighbour with which it enjoys friendly relations.
As the only ASEAN country sharing a land border with India, Myanmar is a bridge between South and SE Asia and India�s gateway to ASEAN.
In recent times, the bilateral relationship has grown considerably in scope and content, the ministry said adding Singh�s visit "shall build on the current upswing in relations with Myanmar as part of our broader "Look East" policy.
He will also visit Mandalay where he will have a meeting with the Indian community.
India has noted the resolve of the Myanmar leadership to build an enduring democratic system and expressed support for national reconciliation and early transition to democracy in that country.
New Delhi has stressed that it wished to see a stable, peaceful, prosperous and democratic Myanmar.
Singh is expected to reaffirm India�s readiness to assist the Govt and people of Myanmar on their path to further political and economic progress.
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