New Delhi
28 January 2008
United Nations Special Envoy for Burma Ibrahim Gambari will hold
talks with Indian officials from Tuesday to shore up regional and international support for
peace and reconciliation in Burma.
Sources told this newspaper that Mr Gambari, who is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-
moon's special envoy for Burma, can be expected to spend close to three days in New
Delhi.
The sources said that Mr Gambari would hold a dialogue with the Government of India
functionaries as part of the UN's efforts to help promote democracy and national
reconciliation in the military-ruled Burma. His engagements in New Delhi will be a
sequel to the high-level consultations he has had with key countries in the region.
Mr Gambari has visited India before. On a previous visit to India in 2007, he said that he
is satisfied with India's response but would like her to exercise her influence on the
Burmese military junta to effect the desired changes in that country, including the
release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
India recently hosted Burmese Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, who briefed Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on the recent internal developments in his country. On the occasion,
Dr Singh 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 in Burma," a Ministry of External Affairs
spokesman quoted the Prime Minister as telling the Burmese minister.
Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee held talks with Mr U Nyan Win too. Mr
Mukherjee stressed the importance of expediting the implementation of the reconciliation
process and reiterated India's support to the efforts of UN Special Envoy Ibrahim
Gambari.
India and Burma have concluded negotiations on the Kaladan multi-modal transit
transport project. It is expected to be signed soon.
India and Burma also held foreign office consultations in December 2007 when Deputy
Minister in the Burmese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kyaw Thu visited New Delhi at the
invitation of Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon.
New Delhi has maintained that Burma is a close and friendly neighbour, which also
serves as a gateway to South East Asia. India and Burma share a border of more than
1,600 kilometres.
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