India, Myanmar discuss security, cross-border projects

"Discussions are taking place on various issues including security-related matters, smuggling of arms and narcotic drugs, effective border management, border trade and cross-border projects," an Indian Home Ministry official told KUNA here.

This is the 14th round of annual Home Secretary level talks between the two countries. The talks would conclude on March 10. The previous round of talks was held in Myanmar in February 2007, the official noted.

The Indian delegation is being led by its Home Secretary, Madhukar Gupta and the Myanmar delegation by their Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Brig. Gen. Phone Swe.

"Myanmar is a close and friendly neighbour, with whom India shares a border of more than 1,600 km. We hope that Myanmars on-going national reconciliation and political reform process and the recognition of the need to expedite the process will make it more inclusive so as to ensure peaceful and stable democratisation," the official said, asking to be unnamed.

"India's Myanmar policy is based on four factors -- the increasing engagement between China and Myanmar particularly in the field of defence, the presence of Indian insurgent groups there, abundance of hydrocarbons in Myanmar and the country being India's gateway to Southeast Asia," the official noted.

Number of insurgent groups from India's Northeast operate from hideouts in Eastern Myanmar and India has been working with the Myanmarese junta to combat the rebels.

India and Myanmar are likely to ink an agreement soon on the 'Kaladan Multi-Modal Transport Project,' estimated to cost USD 100 million.

It will connect India to Southeast Asia and provide an alternative route for transport of goods to the country's Northeast. It is meant to link Sittwe port in Myanmar via Paletwa to Mizoram, a state in Northeast India by road and inland water. The project is expected to be completed by 2010.

"Kaladan project is the centre-piece of the diplomatic and strategic edifice that India is building with Myanmar over the past few years," the official pointed out.