India to raise UG issue to Myanmar

The Sangai Express: 8 September, 2006

New Delhi: India will raise its concerns over reports of insurgent groups in the northeast operating from Myanmar during the 12th Home Secretary level talks between the two sides beginning here on September 13.

Besides security issues, incidents of drug trafficking and smuggling are likely to figure during the four-day talks, sources in the Union Home Ministry said.

They said some insurgent groups in Manipur and Nagaland were operating from Myanmar soil and cited the instance of the killing of some Assam Rifles personnel by insurgents a few months back.

They said New Delhi will take up the matter seriously with Yangon.

The northeastern States have been voicing concern over such incidents pointing out the importance of Myanmar as the gateway to East Asian countries and from strategic point of view.

Border management and fencing are some other issues expected to be discussed at the talks.

The last such meeting was held at Yangon in October last year.

While the Indian side will be led by Union Home Secretary VK Duggal, Myanmar Deputy Minister Birg Gen Phone Swe will lead the other side.

Sources said during the last meeting, issues relating to security, drug trafficking, border trade, border management and proposed infrastructure projects in Myanmar were discussed.

Both sides had agreed to further strengthen cooperation in tackling activities of insurgents, arms smugglers, drug peddlers and other hostile elements along the India-Myanmar border.

The status of various infrastructure projects in Myanmar, particularly in road and power sectors over which the two coutnries have agreed to cooperate, was also reviewed at the last meeting and a follow was expected this time too.