New Delhi
20 October 2005
Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu's visit to New Delhi
catches pro-democracy activists and rights groups by surprise. As the minister, who has
spent the last three days meeting Indian officials, prepares to leave on Friday, Burmese
activists have asked India to use her new-found fledgling relationship with the United
States to push for restoration of democracy in Myanmar.
The Burmese deputy foreign minister, Mr Kyaw Thu, is leading a five-member delegation
from the Burmese Foreign Ministry on a four-day visit to India. His meetings in New
Delhi with Indian officials including Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran began on
Wednesday and will end on Friday. Mr Kyaw Thu served the Burmese military junta as
its ambassador to India from 2001 to 2003.
"As the largest and the oldest democracies in the world, India and the United States must
put pressure on the Burmese military regime to restore democracy. India must work with
international agencies in general and the United Nations in particular to accelerate the
democratisation process in Burma. A democratic Burma will deliver long-term benefits to
India," said a Burmese pro-democracy activist.
Mr Kyaw Thu, who is the son of former Burmese president Dr Maung Maung, discussed
matters of bilateral interest besides regional and international cooperation issues. His
visit comes close on the heels of the October 14 demonstrations to mark the
"International Day of Action Global Call to Action against the Shwe Gas Project in
Burma." This gas will be sold to India.
Earlier this month, a delegation led by Energy Minister Brig Gen Lun Thi attended the
energy ministers' meeting of BIMSTEC member countries in New Delhi. The meeting was
attended by officials and ministers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri
Lanka and Thailand. Activists also demanded the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is
under house arrest in Yangon.
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