Officials from India and Myanmar discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in various sectors during President Win Myint’s India visit
India and Myanmar have signed 10 agreements on Thursday, i.e., February 27, 2020, focusing on the socio-economic development of the Southeast Asian nation.
The agreements were signed after the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi held high-level talks with the President of Myanmar – Win Myint at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The Myanmar President is on a 4-day official visit to India.
Talking about the high-level talks with Win Myint, Modi tweeted, “Held extensive talks with Mr. U Win Myint, the President of Myanmar. Discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in various sectors.”
Held extensive talks with Mr. U Win Myint, the President of Myanmar. Discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in various sectors. pic.twitter.com/aYC60iVRND
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2020
The focus of many agreements was on development projects under India’s assistance, particularly in the conflict-torn Rakhine State. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed include:
• Cooperation for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons; Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Re-Integration of Victims of Trafficking
• Agreement on Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of Quick Impact Projects
• Agreement between Rakhine State Government and Embassy of India, Yangon, for construction of incinerator in Mrauk-U township hospital, construction of seed storage houses and water supply systems in Gwa township under Rakhine State Development Programme
• MoU between Rakhine State Government and Embassy of India, Yangon, for distribution of electricity by solar power in five townships of Rakhine State under Rakhine State Development Programme
• Agreement between Rakhine State Government and Embassy of India, Yangon, for construction of Kyawlyaung-Ohlphyu road, construction of Kyaung Taung-Kyaw Paung road in Buthedaung township under Rakhine State Development Programme
• Agreement between Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and Embassy of India, Yangon, for construction of pre-schools under Rakhine State Development Programme
• Cooperation on Combating Timber Trafficking, and Conservation of Tigers and other Wildlife
• Cooperation on petroleum products between India Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Myanmar Ministry of Electricity and Energy
• Cooperation on communications between India Ministry of Communications and Myanmar Ministry of Transport and Communications
• Cooperation in health research between Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Medical Research, Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports
Prior to this, upon arrival on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Win Myint and the First Lady of Myanmar – Daw Cho Cho were bestowed with ceremonial welcome by President of India – Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
The official twitter handle of President of India, run by President’s secretariat, tweeted, “President Kovind accorded a ceremonial welcome to President U Win Myint of Myanmar at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.”
🇮🇳🤝🇲🇲| President Kovind accorded a ceremonial welcome to President U Win Myint of Myanmar at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. pic.twitter.com/qpLyzsc5RD
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 27, 2020
It President’s Secretariat further tweeted, “The President said that India attaches the highest priority to its partnership with Myanmar. A peaceful, united, federal, democratic and prosperous Myanmar is in India’s core national interest.”
The President said that India attaches the highest priority to its partnership with Myanmar. A peaceful, united, federal, democratic and prosperous Myanmar is in India’s core national interest. 🇮🇳🇲🇲 pic.twitter.com/KBYT4iAWyw
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 27, 2020
Separately, Ram Nath Kovind also presented holy soil from 8 different cities connected with the life of Lord Buddha to Win Myint.
“Emphasising shared religious and cultural ties b/w two sister civilisations, President Kovind gifted holy soil from 8 cities – Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Rajgir, Pataliputra, Shravasti, Vaishali and Kushinagar – connected with the life of Lord Buddha to President of Myanmar,” tweeted the President’s Secretariat.
Emphasising shared religious and cultural ties b/w two sister civilisations, President Kovind gifted holy soil from 8 cities – Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Rajgir, Pataliputra, Shravasti, Vaishali and Kushinagar – connected with the life of Lord Buddha to President of Myanmar. pic.twitter.com/bdynsvFent
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 27, 2020
Before returning to Myanmar, Win Myint is expected to visit Bodh Gaya, a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya District of Bihar. Besides, the President of Myanmar and the First Lady are also expected to visit Agra during their stay in India.
