Myanmar to strengthen ties with India by signing 10 new agreements

With 10 agreements signed, India and Myanmar have given a new impetus to their bilateral ties.

The focus of these agreements is on development projects in the conflict-ridden Rakhine state in Myanmar. India underlined its support for peace, stability and development in the Rakhine state. "Our ties with Myanmar have continued to steadily expand in all dimensions," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.

The bilateral talks, between President U Win Myint of Myanmar and the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, covered a range of issues.

The leaders discussed bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest. They agreed that regular bilateral interactions have given new energy to the relationship between the two nations. In this meeting the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further explore avenues of cooperation in order to expand bilateral ties beneficial for their citizens.

Coordinated Bus Service between Imphal and Mandalay is one of the commitments that is expected to start from April this year. The Indian side emphasized its commitment for construction of the Integrated Check Post in Tamu, Myanmar. Myanmar promised to extend full support and facilitation for the execution of India-funded projects.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind (2nd, R) shakes hands with Myanmar President U Win Myint (2nd, L) as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (1st, R) and Myanmar's First Lady Cho Cho (1st, L) look on during a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, India. /AFP

The two sides committed to the early conclusion of discussions on the pending bilateral Motor Vehicles Agreement to facilitate cross border movement of vehicles. The two sides emphasized the centrality of connectivity in their relationship and reaffirmed their commitments to expedite the completion of the various India-funded projects presently underway in Myanmar, with Myanmar's continued support and facilitation towards their execution.

The two sides expressed satisfaction regarding the progress of Myanmar-India Border Area Development Programs. Under this, 43 schools, 18 health centers and 51 bridges and roads have been constructed in Myanmar over the last three years. Both sides acknowledged with satisfaction that 29 additional projects under the fourth year's tranche of assistance of 5 million U.S. dollars, will be implemented in 2020-21.

For exploring a bilateral mechanism for settlement in local currency with the aim to boost cross border trade, the two sides agreed to expeditiously convene the existing mechanism of India-Myanmar Joint Trade Committee meetings, said the joint statement issued after the talks.

"The two sides noted the need to make efforts to enhance bilateral trade and economic engagement to their full potential. They noted that steps such as improving connectivity, market access, easing financial transactions, facilitating business-to-business connect and enabling bilateral and regional trading agreements would contribute to socio-economic development of both sides," it added.

Terrorism was high on the agenda with both sides agreeing to cooperate in dealing with terrorist groups. Cooperation in defense and security was also discussed during this visit.

Myint arrived in India on February 26 on a four-day visit with First Lady Daw Cho Cho. He was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Presidential palace the next morning and the President of India also hosted a state banquet in honor of the visiting dignitaries.

He also paid tribute to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. The couple also visited places of historical and cultural significance. It was a visit which once again reaffirmed India's 'Act East' policy.