Date:25/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/25/stories/2008112561321000.htm

National

India and Myanmar for stronger ties

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: India and Myanmar concluded the ninth round of Foreign Office consultations in Yangon on Sunday against the background of evolution of a wide range of cooperative arrangements between the two sides. The Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and the Myanmar side by Deputy Foreign Minister U Kyaw Thu.

The discussions covered security and border issues, trade and economic cooperation and cooperation in cross-border developmental projects, IT, energy, power and education & training.

Security issue

On the security front, both countries agreed to enhance security cooperation to combat insurgent groups and arms smuggling.

The two sides also noted the decision taken to convert Indo-Myanmar border trade into normal trade, opening of a border trade point at Avakhung in Nagaland and expanding the existing border trade items from 22 to 40. They agreed to enter into an arrangement for long-term purchase of pulses from Myanmar.

Both have also agreed on renovating the Tahtaychaung hydropower project, construction of transmission lines and replacement of transformers damaged during cyclone Nargis.