New Delhi, September 16: Seeking to give more substance to their bilateral ties, India and Myanmar today evolved a mechanism to assist each other on securityrelated issues including activities of "undesirable elements", arms smuggling and drug trafficking.

"A mechanism has been reached to assist each other in these areas," Union Home Secretary VK Duggal said at the end of the four-day Home Secretary level talks between the two countries when the two sides signed the minutes of the meeting.

While the Indian delegation was led by Duggal, Myanmar team was headed by Deputy Home Minister Brig Gen Phone Swe.

Duggal said the discussions centred around security-related issues which comprised activities of undesirable elements against interest of each other and arms smuggling.

Border management issues, including maintenance of pillars, fencing and rationalisation of free movement regime between the two countries were also discussed in detail, he said.

The Home Secretary said it had been decided to pursue the measures decided at the meeting in a "time-bound manner".

Responding to questions after signing of the minutes, Swe told media persons that the two countries decided to work together in mutual interest and gave an assurance that the cooperation agreed between the two sides "will be followed up and implemented".

On New Delhi's demand for crackdown on Indian insurgent groups operating from Myanmar, the statement said the discussions "centred around security-related issues which comprised activities of undesirable elements against the interest of each other and arms smuggling".

The sources said the Indian side took up the issue of insurgent groups like United Nationalist Liberation Front and People's Liberation Army operating from across the border.

During their visit to India, the Myanmar delegation called on Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil who emphasised the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two sides on various issues of mutual concern including those related to security, drug trafficking and border management.

Duggal said Patil has invited the Home Minister of Myanmar to visit India.

The Home Secretary said Swe made a request for providing training for civil servants and police officers in Myanmar.

A joint press statement issued at the end of the talks said the discussions took place in an atmosphere of "utmost cordiality reflecting excellent bilateral relations".

Duggal said the talks have "further deepened the understanding between the two countries on security, drug trafficking and effective border management".

To a question on source of arms coming to India from Myanmar, Swe said since his country shared its borders with so many countries, he could not pin point the source.

Responding to the query, Duggal said it had been agreed to deal with the issue by plugging the border.

On how to curb drug trafficking, he said it could be done by better border management and surveillance.

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