Foreign Secy raises Manipur's Churachandpur ambush with Myanmar military rulers
Source: Nirendra Dev *

New Delhi, December 23 2021: India is on way to strengthen ties with the military rulers in Myanmar owing to geo political situations in the eastern sector even as it favours return of democracy in that country.

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla on a two-day visit to Myanmar on Thursday raised matters relating to India's security with Myanmar military rulers especially in the light of the "recent incident in Churachandpur" district in southern Manipur.

The Foreign Secretary is on a "working visit" to Myanmar from December 22 to 23 .

He called on the military ruler Chairman, State Administrative Council and other senior representatives and also held meetings with members of civil society and political parties, including the National League for Democracy of dethroned leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The pro-democracy leader has been put behind bars for Covid violation and electoral malpractices.

India also pitched strongly for "complete cessation of all violence" .

India strongly backed Myanmar's return to democracy and suggested it is in the "interest" of India.

A part of the 'Made in India' vaccines handed over to the Myanmar Red Cross Society on Wednesday by the Foreign Secretary would be "utilized for communities living along Myanmar's border with India" .

A large number of Naga ethnic groups reside along the India-Myanmar border.

The Manipur government has handed over Churachandpur ambush case to the NIA.

He also reaffirmed India's strong and consistent support to the ASEAN initiative and expressed hope that progress would be made in a pragmatic and constructive manner, based on the five point consensus.

"Emphasizing that India shares a long border with Myanmar, Foreign Secretary conveyed India's continued humanitarian support for the people of Myanmar" .

A grant of 10,000 tons of rice and wheat to Myanmar was also announced.

Foreign Secretary Shringla expressed "India's continued support for people-centric socio-economic developmental projects, including those along the India-Myanmar border areas" as well as India's commitment for expeditious implementation of ongoing connectivity initiatives such as the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at nirendev1(AT)gmail(DOT)com .

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