BackIndia, Myanmar to intensify armed forces cooperation
The decision was taken last week at the first Joint Consultative Committee meeting between the two countries
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New Delhi: India and Myanmar have agreed to intensify cooperation between their armed forces to root out terrorism.
This decision was among many taken last week at the first Joint Consultative Committee meeting between the two countries chaired by their foreign ministers in New Delhi last week.
The decision comes a little more than a month after Indian troops took out insurgents who had ambushed 18 soldiers and 15 others in Manipur. It also comes ahead of a visit to India by a senior Myanmar general later this month.
The Indian delegation was led by foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and the Myanmar side was led by U. Wunna Maung Lwin, minister for foreign affairs.
“Both Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to fight the scourge of terrorism and insurgent activity in all its forms and manifestations. They emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between security forces and border guarding agencies for securing peace, security and stability in the border areas which is crucial for overall development," a joint statement said.
“In this context, the two leaders welcomed regular meetings of the bilateral Regional Border Committee which promotes such cooperation and understanding for better border management. Both leaders reiterated the assurance that territories of either country would not be allowed to be used for activities inimical to the other," it said.
At least half a dozen Indian insurgent groups including the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang faction, are alleged to have training camps in northern Myanmar, although they are also known to shift operations across Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, India backed Myanmar’s pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. But it has changed tack after realizing that insurgent groups operating in the North East were able to establish bases in Myanmar.
India then actively engaged the then junta-run government, investing in infrastructure projects, exploring oil and gas blocks and offering credit.
Ties were sustained after Myanmar slowly transitioned into a democracy with the first election in two decades being held in 2010.
In her meeting last week, Swaraj said India was committed to help Myanmar in modernising its armed forces, including “building a professional and capable Myanmar Navy to safeguard and ensure its maritime security."
The two nations agreed that the maritime security cooperation in the Bay of Bengal was mutually beneficial.
To boost trade and commerce between the two countries, investments by Indian companies in areas like ports, power, agro-industries, forest products, mining, construction industry, consumer goods, highways, energy plantation, manufacturing, hospitality and information technology would be encouraged, the statement said.
“The Myanmar side took note of the proposal made by Indian side to consider granting license to an Indian bank to open a branch in Myanmar so as to facilitate greater trade and Investment of India in Myanmar," it said.
To increase connectivity between the two countries, the two foreign ministers agreed to increase the number of flights operating between the two countries, up from the weekly connection between Delhi and Yangon through Gaya.
They also discussed a bus link between Imphal in Manipur and Mandalay in southern Myanmar. In the area of energy cooperation, the two ministers “encouraged investment by Indian companies in Myanmar oil and gas sector, including in available blocks that are being offered for investment which have good prospects," the statement said.
The possibilities of joint ventures in Myanmar’s hydel power sector was also discussed. In this context India welcomed a Myanmarese proposal for establishment of a coal based power plant at Kalewa. India said it would look into Myanmar’s request for the purchase of 2-3 MW of power from Moreh in Manipur for Myanmar’s power station sub-station at Tamu.
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