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Burmese Navy chief in India
April 1, 2007: A renewed request for military aid in return for cooperation in flushing out Indian insurgent groups operating from Burma’s soil, is on cards during the visit of the Burmese Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein to India beginning Sunday.
The Burmese naval chief, who is leading a seven-member delegation, will be in the country from April 1 to April 5.
He will be meeting the Indian Defence Minister, A K Antony, Indian Navy Chief, Admiral Sureesh Prakash, Army Chief General J J Singh and Defence Secretary, Shekhar Dutt in New Delhi.
He will also visit military establishments in Goa and Mumbai.
"The Myanmar naval chief's visit is the continuation of the high-level military engagement that the two countries have embarked on for common interests. His visit is being welcomed by India," Commodore R S Vasan retired Indian naval officer told Mizzima News.
Over the last three years, the two
countries have stepped up bilateral relationship which included visits of Burmese
military junta supremo, Senior
General Than Shwe and Indian President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Analysts view India's move as countering Chinese influence on Burma and a part of New Delhi's 'Look East' economic policy. The Burmese junta, on the other hand, is pitting the two giant neighbours against each other for military and financial assistance.
India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Burma in January and assured Burma of supplying military hardware. Three Indian service chiefs of the army, air force and the navy also visited Burma.
India Navy Chief, Admiral Arun Prakash visited Burma in January 2006 after which the transfer of two BN-2 'Defender' Islander maritime surveillance aircraft and air-defence guns from India followed.
Sources: MIZZIMA