New Delhi (NVI): India today announced a grant of USD 2 million for the construction of the border haat bridge at Byanyu/Sarsichauk in Chin State of Myanmar that will provide increased economic connectivity between Mizoram and the neighboring country.
The development took place during the visit of Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane to Myanmar where they met state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi for talks on taking forward bilateral relations in a wide range of areas.
During the visit, FS Shringla also indicated India’s willingness to prioritise Myanmar in sharing Covid-19 vaccines as and when they become available.
As part of India’s efforts to help Myanmar fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Shringla and Naravane handed over a consignment of 3,000 vials of the drug Remdesivir to Suu Kyi, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Foreign Secretary (FS) began their 2-day visit to Myanmar on Sunday to meet Myanmar’s top civil and military leadership are meant to take forward ties in areas ranging from security to connectivity, the statement added.
“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, few direct exchanges have taken place between the two sides. This visit will provide an opportunity to take stock of the existing bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the release said.
Shringla and Naravane discussed “important bilateral issues” during their meeting with Suu Kyi at the foreign ministry in Naypyitaw, the Indian embassy in Myanmar said in a tweet.
India announced a grant of USD 2 million for the construction of the border haat bridge at Byanyu/Sarsichauk in Chin State that will provide increased economic connectivity between Mizoram and Myanmar.
Furthermore, the operationalisation of Myanmar’s Sittwe port as part of the Kaladan transit transport project to boost connectivity with India’s northeastern states and enhanced security cooperation to counter activities of militant groups, especially along the borders in Manipur and Nagaland are among the key issues on the agenda of the Indian delegation, it added.
India attaches high priority to its relationship with Myanmar in accordance with its ‘Neighborhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies, the MEA said.
In recent times, both sides have strengthened their cooperation in several areas, including connectivity and trade, development projects, energy, capacity building, defence and security and culture and people-to-people links.
In addition to this, the two sides discussed maintenance of security and stability in their border areas and reiterated their mutual commitment not to allow their respective territories to be used for activities inimical to each other. The Indian side expressed their appreciation to Myanmar for handing over of 22 cadres of Indian Insurgent Groups to India.
FS congratulated Myanmar for successfully holding the Fourth meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference and assured India’s continued support in sharing experiences in constitutionalism and federalism to assist Myanmar in its democratic transition.
In the last few years, both countries have made commendable strides in bilateral ties and explored new avenues of cooperation including fresh investments in oil and gas and power, infrastructure and pharmaceuticals.
Discussions on the low voltage radial interconnections between North-Eastern states and Myanmar have also progressed. The cooperation in the maritime domain and disaster management has been enhanced. Both countries have also continued to cooperate in various regional and multilateral fora.
Initiatives like the successful implementation of the Land Border Crossing Agreement and ongoing discussions at the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Motor Vehicles Agreement, have been moving forward.
-CHK/ARK
