According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs,Foreign Secretary Shri Vijay paid an official visit to Myanmar on October 22during which he met with State Counsellor of the host country Aung San Suu Kyi.The two sides discussed all matters relating to the bilateral ties as well asthose pertaining to international and regional matters of common interest,including the developments in the strife-torn state.
He also called on Myanmar Minister of Transport andCommunications U Thant Sin Maung to discuss matters relating to connectivityand transport infrastructure being developed by India in Myanmar, the ministrysaid in a statement.
Following the meeting, Vijay and U Win Khant, PermanentSecretary of Myanmar’s Ministry of Transport and Communications signed aMemorandum of Understanding for the appointment of a private Port Operator forthe Operation and Maintenance of Sittwe Port, Paletwa Inland Water Terminal and associatedfacilities that are part of the Kaladan MultiModel Transit Transport Project.
“This is a significant step in the implementation ofIndia’s Act East Policy as its signing will enhance Myanmar’s connectivityincluding with India and add to the development of the whole region, particularlyin Rakhine and Chin States of Myanmar,” the ministry said. “It would also addto local infrastructure capacity and help in creating more job opportunitiesfor the local people.”
Earlier, the Indian Foreign Secretary had a meetingwith the Commander in Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, Senior General MinAung Hlaing. The two sides talked about issues relating to border security,bilateral cooperation, Myanmar’s peace process as well as the situation inNorthern Rakhine State.
According to the ministry, Vijay has conveyed amessage in all his engagements that “India valued its relationship with a closeneighbour like Myanmar and would continue to deepen its cooperation with it inthe areas of connectivity, security, people to people relation and economic andcommercial cooperation.” –VNA