New Delhi
2 January 2008
India on Wednesday shed its reticence about relations with the
military-ruled Burma and held forth on the importance of her multi-faceted relations with
that country. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh conveyed to visiting Burmese Minister of
Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, his satisfaction at the growing bilateral relations between
the two countries. Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, in turn, noted with
delight the growing cooperation between India and Burma at the regional and multilateral
levels.
An unapologetic New Delhi said that the discussions with Mr Win covered all areas of
mutual interest. It noted with particular satisfaction the conclusion of discussions
relating to the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project. The project was finalised on
December 21. New Delhi looked forward to an early signing and implementation of what
it called a "mutually beneficial project."
The spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Navtej Sarna, told a hastily called
news conference that Mr Win called on Prime Minister Singh in the morning and briefed
him on the recent internal developments in Burma. Later in the day, Mr Win held talks
with Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee. He conveyed to Mr Mukherjee the
recent initiatives taken by the Burmese Government for political reform and national
reconciliation.
For the record, New Delhi stressed the need for greater urgency in bringing about
political reforms and national reconciliation in Burma. "This process had to be broad-
based to include all sections of society, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the various
ethnic groups," the spokesman quoted Prime Minister Singh as telling Mr Win. Mr
Mukherjee, in turn, sought to impress upon the Burmese minister the importance of
expediting the implementation of political reforms and the national reconciliation process
and making it inclusive. Mr Mukherjee reiterated India's support to the efforts of United
Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari.
Displaying a new comfort level with the junta, New Delhi discussed measures to
enhance trade, especially through border trade points, and strengthen cooperation in
hydrocarbon sector. Bilateral trade is about one billion dollars today. The spokesman
reiterated that Burma is "a close and friendly neighbour, with whom India shares a
border of more than 1,600 kilometres." Burma also serves as a gateway to South East
Asia, he added.
Mr Win arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a five-day visit. He will travel to Gaya and
Kolkata before concluding his visit to India.
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