FS Shringla, Myanmar leader Gen Hlaing held ‘frank exchange of views’ on counter-terrorism, trade, border peace
Yangon, Dec 24 (FN Agency) Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Myanmar junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, held a “frank exchange of views” on a number of issues, including enhancing bilateral trade, counter-terrorism, and efforts for ensuring peace and stability in the border regions of both countries. Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla at the parlour of Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha of Yangon Command Headquarters on Thursday morning. “At the meeting, they frankly exchanged views on exchange of goodwill visits of two governments and two armed forces of Myanmar and India, promotion of bilateral trade due to both side cooperation, situation to manage the direct trade between the two countries, direct maritime trade process, further cooperation in development of border regions, prospects of investment from India in necessary infrastructures for generating electricity in Myanmar.”
They also discussed “training and teaching, technological assistance of India in development of agriculture and livestock sectors (in Myanmar), sales and contribution of vaccines by India for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19, discharging of State responsibilities by the Tatmadaw under the Constitution (2008) due to voting fraud in the 2020 general election, terror acts of terrorist groups in the country, efforts for counter-terrorism, response to terror acts against education and health staff, and efforts for ensuring peace and stability in the border regions of both countries,” a state-run media report said. After the meeting, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Foreign Secretary Shringla exchanged commemorative gifts. Also present at the meeting were Joint-Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo of the State Administration Council, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Aung Naing Oo and officials. The Indian Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Ambassador Saurabh Kumar of India and officials from the External Affairs Ministry of India. Foreign Secretary Shringla also met with Myamar’s Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin.
During the meeting held on Thursday morning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nay Pyi Taw, the two sides cordially exchanged views on matters pertaining to the promotion of the existing friendly bilateral relations and multi-sectoral cooperation between the two countries in the areas, among others, trade and investment, border area development and the regional and international issues of mutual interests. “They also discussed matters related to ongoing projects of India in Myanmar such as the Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project and operationalization of Sittwe Seaport, upgrading of 69 bridges of Tamu-Kyi Gone-Kalewa road, the Trilateral Highway project, Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Tamu, strengthening people-to-people contact as well as India’s assistance to Myanmar for prevention of COVID-19.”
Present at the courtesy call were U Kyaw Myo Htut, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U Chan Aye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar. The Indian Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador of India, Smita Pant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, and responsible officials from India. Foreign Secretary Shringla also called on the Union Minister at the Union Government Office Lt-Gen Yar Pyae in Nay Pyi Taw. During the meeting, they discussed friendly relations between Myanmar and India, and issues of bilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on the issue of COVID-19 vaccination on the India-Myanmar border and the implementation of the Myanmar peace process. Gifts were exchanged after the discussion.