<p>Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma Thursday told Aung San Suu Kyi that India was ready to extend "all necessary assistance" to the development of Myanmar.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sharma made the pledge after meeting the chairperson of the National League for Democracy at Nay Pyi Taw, according to an Indian government statement. <br /><br />“Myanmar is a vitally important neighbour for us. The relations between our two countries have broadened and deepened in the past two years,” the minister told Suu Kyi.<br /><br />Sharma also met Energy Minister U Than Htay and said that Indian banks were interested in setting up branches in Myanmar. <br /><br />“India will also be happy to assist in strengthening the banking system in Myanmar as we inherit common banking laws,” said Sharma. The two ministers set a bilateral trade target of $3 billion by 2015.<br /><br />Sharma further said that India was interested in deepening cooperation in procuring energy, oil and natural gas from Myanmar.<br /><br />"Our companies are interested in securing more exploratory oil and gas blocks both onshore and offshore," he said. <br /><br />They also spoke about reviving discussions on a gas pipeline between India and Myanmar through Bangladesh.<br /> <br />Sharma said India was ready to continue to assist Myanmar in developing its infrastructure projects.<br /><br />Discussions also took place regarding the need to improve air, road and water connectivity between India and Myanmar.<br /><br />"A joint working group (JWG) to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of cross-border rail links and the commercial feasibility of direct shipping links are working with the sole aim to boosting the trade ties between the two countries," Sharma said. <br /><br />Suu Kyi expressed keen interest in building linkages with the Indian textiles sector. <br />She said the Indian handloom sector held immense potential for Myanmar. She sought India’s help in developing a full value chain for silk production in Myanmar.<br /><br />While trade between the two countries stood at $1.708 billion in 2011, it rose to $1.872 billion in 2012. India is the fourth largest trading partner of Myanmar after Thailand, Singapore and China.<br /></p>
<p>Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma Thursday told Aung San Suu Kyi that India was ready to extend "all necessary assistance" to the development of Myanmar.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sharma made the pledge after meeting the chairperson of the National League for Democracy at Nay Pyi Taw, according to an Indian government statement. <br /><br />“Myanmar is a vitally important neighbour for us. The relations between our two countries have broadened and deepened in the past two years,” the minister told Suu Kyi.<br /><br />Sharma also met Energy Minister U Than Htay and said that Indian banks were interested in setting up branches in Myanmar. <br /><br />“India will also be happy to assist in strengthening the banking system in Myanmar as we inherit common banking laws,” said Sharma. The two ministers set a bilateral trade target of $3 billion by 2015.<br /><br />Sharma further said that India was interested in deepening cooperation in procuring energy, oil and natural gas from Myanmar.<br /><br />"Our companies are interested in securing more exploratory oil and gas blocks both onshore and offshore," he said. <br /><br />They also spoke about reviving discussions on a gas pipeline between India and Myanmar through Bangladesh.<br /> <br />Sharma said India was ready to continue to assist Myanmar in developing its infrastructure projects.<br /><br />Discussions also took place regarding the need to improve air, road and water connectivity between India and Myanmar.<br /><br />"A joint working group (JWG) to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of cross-border rail links and the commercial feasibility of direct shipping links are working with the sole aim to boosting the trade ties between the two countries," Sharma said. <br /><br />Suu Kyi expressed keen interest in building linkages with the Indian textiles sector. <br />She said the Indian handloom sector held immense potential for Myanmar. She sought India’s help in developing a full value chain for silk production in Myanmar.<br /><br />While trade between the two countries stood at $1.708 billion in 2011, it rose to $1.872 billion in 2012. India is the fourth largest trading partner of Myanmar after Thailand, Singapore and China.<br /></p>