Date:03/11/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/03/stories/2003110304071200.htm

International - India & World

India, Myanmar sign pact

Yangon Nov. 2. India and Myanmar today signed two agreements on enhancing joint education and research programmes and exempting visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders shortly after the Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, arrived in this country on a five-day visit.

The Memorandum of Understanding on education, providing for exchange of research materials, publication and information, organisation of joint conferences, seminars, joint research programmes and training, was inked by the Foreign Secretary, Kanwal Sibal, and the Myanmarese Deputy Education Minister, U Myo Nyunt.

Earlier, as part of India's `Look East' policy, Mr. Shekhawat arrived here this afternoon to a warm welcome, becoming the first Indian Vice-President to visit Myanmar in 16 years.

Mr. Shekhawat, who is heading a high-level delegation, was received at the airport by Vice Senior General, Maung Aye, who is number two in the hierarchy in Myanmar's ruling military junta. . — PTI