India and Myanmar boost cooperative ties

FM Nyan Win also met with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee who expressed his hope that the two countries would sign and implement projects relating to transport services.

The two sides also discussed measures to enhance two-way trade, currently around 1 billion USD, and strengthen cooperation in Myanmar's oil and gas sector.-Enditem

India asks Myanmar to expedite political reform process

New Delhi, (PTI): India on Wednesday asked Myanmar to expedite the process of political reforms and national reconciliation as the two countries discussed ways to enhance their ties, particularly in trade and energy sector.

The two countries are close to launching the Kaladan multi-modal transport project, a key initiative towards implementation of India's 'Look East' policy.

Visiting Myanmarese Foreign Minister, U Nyan Win, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Wednesday and briefed him on the recent internal developments in his country, External Affairs Ministry spokesman, Navtej Sarna, told journalists.

Win also held detailed talks with External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee.

Emphasising the importance of the "multi-faceted" Indo-Myanmar relations, Singh expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral ties.

During his meeting with Win, the Prime Minister "stressed the need for greater urgency in bringing about political reforms and national reconciliation in Myanmar," Sarna said.

Singh emphasised that the process had to be broad-based to include all sections of society, including pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and various ethnic groups of military-ruled Myanmar.

During his meeting with Mukherjee, Win gave details of recent initiatives taken by the Myanmarese government on its political reform and national reconciliation process.

The External Affairs Ministry stressed the importance of expediting the implementation of this process and making it inclusive and broad-based, Sarna said.

Mukherjee also re-iterated India's support to the efforts of UN Special Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, towards ushering in of democracy in Myanmar.

The discussions between Mukherjee and Win covered all areas of mutual interest, the spokesman said, while noting that Myanmar is a "close and friendly neighbour."

Mukherjee expressed satisfaction at the recent conclusion of discussions relating to the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, Sarna said.

The two sides concluded on December 21 the talks on the project, which involves road, rail and river transport services.

The External Affairs Minister "hoped for an early signing and implementation of this mutually-beneficial project," the spokesman said.

Both sides noted the current state of bilateral trade at nearly US $1 billion and discussed measures to enhance it, especially through border trade points between the two countries which share 1,600 km of frontier.

The importance of strengthening cooperation in hydrocarbon sector was also underlined during the talks, Sarna said.

The two sides also noted with satisfaction the growing cooperation at the regional and multilateral level, especially keeping in mind India's 'Look East' Policy.

India and Myanmar hold talks

Wide ranging discussions: Myanmar Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: India and Myanmar on Wednesday held comprehensive talks to enhance the bilateral ties, particularly in trade and energy. The visiting Foreign Minister of Myanmar U Nyan Win held wide ranging discussions with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Earlier, he called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Emphasising the importance of India’s multi-faceted relations with Myanmar, Dr. Singh expressed his satisfaction at the growing ties between the two countries. He stressed the need for greater urgency in bringing about political reforms and national reconciliation in Myanmar. This process had to be broad based to include all sections of society, including Aung San Suu Kyi and various ethnic groups, Dr. Singh pointed out.

The talks with Mr. Mukherjee covered all areas of mutual interest. Mr. Mukherjee expressed satisfaction over the recent conclusion of discussions relating to the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport project, and hoped for its early signing and implementation.

The project envisages construction of roads and waterway links for easy accessibility for Indian goods from the North-Eastern States to the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar.

Both sides noted that the current state of bilateral trade stood at nearly $ 1 billion, and discussed measures to enhance trade, especially through the border trade points. Strengthening of ties in the hydrocarbon sector was reiterated. The two sides noted with satisfaction the growing cooperation at the regional and multi-lateral levels.