Keen to deepen security ties with India, says Myanmar General

Myanmar today expressed its commitment to deepening security and defence engagement with India, weeks after Indian troops carried out a surgical strike in that country to hunt down Naga insurgents.

The commitment was conveyed by Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defence Services Senior General U Min Aung Hliang here when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who pledged to strengthen ties in all areas, including defence and security.

Hliang appreciated India’s role as a reliable development partner for Myanmar and said his country considers the relationship very important, not only as a neighbour, but also as a country with which it has longstanding historical and cultural ties, shared interests and strong people-to-people ties, a PMO statement said.

While talking about the bilateral ties, the General expressed commitment to deepening defence and security engagement with India, including in the maritime security domain, the statement said.
It added that the Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relationship with Myanmar in all areas, including defence and security.

On June 9, commandos of Indian Army's Special Forces covertly crossed into Myanmar and carried out a surgical strike against Naga insurgents, who were believed to be responsible for an attack on an army unit in Chandel in Manipur five days earlier.

18 army personnel had been killed and as many injured in the Chandel attack and the Indian operation in Myanmar was seen as a retaliation against that strike.

During the meeting with Hliang, the Prime Minister expressed India's support to the neighbour in its endeavours for national development, saying a strong and prosperous Myanmar was in India's interest.

Modi said Myanmar is 'India's gateway to ASEAN' and favoured greater connectivity between the two countries and beyond.
Hliang said Myanmar will remain an important platform in support of India's Act East Policy, the PMO statement said.

Modi said he respects the desire of the people of Myanmar for a transition to a stable multi-party democracy, and conveyed his best wishes for the upcoming elections in Myanmar to be peaceful, free and fair.

The General expressed condolences on behalf of the people and the government of Myanmar on the passing away of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

Hliang also conveyed the invitation from President U Thein Sein to Modi to visit Myanmar. The Prime Minister said he looked forward to visiting Myanmar at an early date.
Modi also invited the Myanmarese President to visit India at the earliest.