India’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale paid an official visit to Myanmar on Monday, Mizzima News reports.
During the visit, Gokhale met Myanmar’s State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Matters relating to bilateral cooperation as well as matters pertaining to international and regional matters of common interest, including developments in Rakhine State were discussed during the meeting, according to a press release from the Indian Embassy in Yangon.
Gokhale also called on Myanmar’s Union Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communications, U Thant Sin Maung and discussed matters related to connectivity and transport infrastructure being developed by India in Myanmar.
Following the meeting, Foreign Secretary and H.E U Win Khant, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications signed the MoU for the appointment of a private Port Operator for the Operation and Maintenance of Sittwe Port, Paletwa Inland Water Terminal and associated facilities that are part of the Kaladan Multi Model Transit Transport Project, the report said.
This is a significant step in the implementation of India’s Act East Policy as its signing will enhance Myanmar’s connectivity with India and add to the development of the whole region, particularly in the Rakhine and Chin States of Myanmar. It would also add to local infrastructure capacity and help in creating more job opportunities for the local people, the press release said.
According to the report, the Indian Foreign Secretary had also called on the Commander in Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. All matters relating to border security, bilateral cooperation, Myanmar’s peace process as well as the situation in Northern Rakhine State were discussed during the meeting.
Gokhale conveyed the message in all his engagements that India valued its relationship with a close neighbour like Myanmar and would continue to deepen its cooperation with it in the areas of connectivity, security, people to people relation and economic and commercial cooperation.