India and Myanmar on Monday inked five pacts, including one in the field of security and agreed on close cooperation between security forces of the two countries in tackling the pernicious problem of terrorism.
The pacts were signed after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with visiting Myanmar military ruler General Than Shwe over a wide range of issues, including counter-terror cooperation, enhanced energy ties and collaboration in a string of developmental projects.
The two leaders expressed their desire for greater economic engagement and in this context Dr Singh conveyed India's commitment to continue with developmental assistance to Myanmar, according to a joint statement in New Delhi.
It said that the Myanmar side expressed deep appreciation for the generous and concessionary credit facilities given by India to finance significant infrastructure and other projects.
Projects that are currently in progress under such aid assistance include those for railways, road and waterway development, power and industrial training centres, tele-communication, etc.
The Indian side agreed to consider Myanmar's request for assistance in three areas namely -- IT development, industrial development and infrastructure development, which will lead to boosting the bilateral cooperation to a higher level.
To enhance road connectivity, especially through the state of Mizoram, both leaders announced the construction and revamping of the Rhi-Tiddim road at a cost of more than $60 million to be financed through grant assistance from India.
The Myanmar side expressed its appreciation for this gesture. The two leaders welcomed the expansion of trade and commerce between the two countries, manifesting in the rise in volume of trade to more than US$ 1 billion per annum. They agreed that trade at border trade points should be further enhanced to boost the immense potential that exists in bilateral trade, which would also directly benefit the north-east states in the country.
The pacts
Besides being a crucial instrument in enabling India get access to insurgents from India's north-east states, who continue to get shelter along the sprawling 1,650-kilometre India-Myanmar border, the treaty on mutual assistance in criminal matters also aims at deepening bilateral cooperation in combating transnational organised crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering and smuggling of arms and explosives.
Understanding that continued cooperation will lead to success in fighting the insurgency issue, Dr Singh and Shwe agreed to strengthen cooperation and collective efforts of the two countries along the border.
In this context, the two leaders welcomed the Home Secretary level talks held in Nay Pyi Taw in January 2010, and the important decisions taken in that meeting. The two leaders also encouraged to conduct business meetings, to be held alternately in both countries, for trade promotion and noted that such measures can help build bridges at the business level and promote economic and commercial opportunities.
In recognition of the close and friendly tourism cooperation between India and Myanmar and cooperation under the frameworks of ASEAN+India and BIMSTEC, the two sides agreed to further promote tourist contacts.
Notwithstanding Shwe's not so cordial relations with Western countries, India has rolled out the red carpet to welcome the General, who began his five-day visit to the country Sunday by offering prayers at the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
Shwe's visit to India also takes place days after the US renewed sanctions, barring trade with companies associated with the junta in Myanmar.
Image: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with visiting Myanmar military ruler General Than Shwe
