Wednesday, June 22, 2011

President Sein to visit India

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Wednesday concluded his three day visit to Myanmar during which he held talks with practically the entire leadership of the recently-formed civilian government focusing on security, agriculture and trade among other issues.India also "encouraged" Myanmar on its efforts of national reconciliation which it believes need to be broad based and inclusive."It was a very useful exchange of views," Krishna said when asked about his parleys with Myanmar leaders including President Then Sein.He said India values the bilateral relations and looks forward to blossoming of robust bilateral relationship.

Krishna had also extended President Pratibha Patil's invitation to Sein to visit India which was accepted by him.

Krishna's visit, along with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, is the first high-level tour from India since the government took over in March after years of military rule.Official sources said the visit was an opportunity to engage with the new civilian government to understand their priorities and needs.Sources said the visit was very "positive and constructive" and helped in furthering the India-Myanmar relationship.While the idea was to engage with the new government to get a better viewpoint of their thinking, a number of bilateral issues were discussed.

On the investment front, Krishna quoted Sein as saying that Myanmar was open to investments and would like to see more Indian companies there.India already has a presence in the country but is looking at a bigger role and is currently identifying mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.India is the thirteenth largest investor with an investment estimated at USD 189 million in five projects.

However, China is the biggest investor in Myanmar with investments totalling to about USD 9.6 billion.Sources said Sein suggested Small Medium Enterprises sector, hydro electricity, agriculture and capacity building as the main segments that India could chip in besides others.The two sides also discussed issues relating to security, connectivity, and more people to people contacts and parliamentary exchanges.

On the security front, Myanmar gave "firm assurances" to India that its territory will not be used for anti-India activities.Krishna had said security is the "most crucial and sensitive issue".

Security cooperation has been a major part of India- Myanmar relations because of the long border that it shares with four northeast states.Many insurgent groups operating in the area are known to take advantage of the thick jungles along the border in Myanmar to take refuge.

While the meetings were a bid to foster strategic and economic ties between the two neighbours, sources said a number of issues with regard to cooperation in the field of health and agriculture were also discussed.India has in principle agreed to modernise the children's hospital in Yangon by supplying the latest modern equipments.Talks are also on for building a state of the art general hospital in Sittwe with Indian help, sources said.

Extending a helping hand to cyclone-prone Myanmar, India handed over 10 modern and disaster-proof rice silos built at a cost of USD 2 million to preserve grains during natural

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