Modi, Myanmar President hold talks

Htin Kyaw, a former aide of Suu Kyi, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt on Monday morning, which was followed by delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. Mr Kyaw is also scheduled to meet President Pranab Mukherjee.

Mr. Modi said the two sides were also determined to deepen their cooperation in agriculture, banking, power, and energy.

Earlier, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also called on Htin Kyaw who is on a two-day India visit.

Monday’s talks were first top-level engagement between the two countries after government of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy came to power following the historic elections that brought curtains down on decades-long military rule.

India’s main concern is the presence of insurgent groups along the border and government wants a proactive support from the Myanmar.

Asked about difficulties of Indian-origin people not being given citizenship papers by local authorities, she said a drive was launched by Myanmar to address their problems. I have told the President that we are willing to substantially scale up our supply of power.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Myanmar to improve living conditions for its Rohingya Muslim minority on Tuesday, ahead of peace talks between leader Aung San Suu Kyi and numerous country’s ethnic armed rebel groups. In this context, both sides agreed that the delegations of India and Myanmar will continue to work together closely during deliberations in all relevant United Nations fora, the statement added.

This is Htin Kyaw’s first overseas trip after assuming charge of the top office almost five months back following the landslide victory of Suu Kyi’s party.

Asked about reports that Indian Army had recently crossed into Myanmar’s border for the second time, she categorically said there was no basis to it.

The still-powerful military has also strongly opposed talks with three groups that fought it in the remote Kokang area past year unless they disarm. China is Myanmar’s largest trading partner with total two-way trade amounting to $15.6 billion in 2015.

China has been increasing its footprint in Myanmar and making huge investments in several major projects.

Myanmar’s Muslim minority Rohingya population, who are subject to state-sponsored discrimination, have never taken up arms against the state and therefore are not included in Suu Kyi’s peace process.

In light of these developments, India should seize the opportunity of President U Htin Kyaw’s visit to strengthen and enhance bilateral relations.

Ranganathan said there may be efforts by some local people residing in border areas to create confusion.

The nine-member commission includes three worldwide representatives, four Buddhist and Muslim members from Myanmar, and two Myanmar government representatives, who will try to find a lasting solution to the Rakhine issue.

But few students from Myanmar, if any, attend Indian universities.

The ANP sent a letter to the Myanmar government on August 25, objecting to the appointment of three foreigners to the advisory commission and calling for it to be disbanded. Additionally, civil society organizations and the private sector should offer vocational trainings for short-term results. It was unclear whether they would be allowed to attend the summit.

The two countries share a 1624-kilometre (1009-mile) boundary in four northeast Indian states – Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. The Rohingya, who bore the brunt of the attacks, were later forced to live in refugee camps. But despite this geographical proximity, cross-border contacts among the ordinary people are relatively insignificant.

The two sides signed four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on the occasion, including one on cooperation in the construction of 69 Bridges including approach roads in the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa Road Section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar; and on cooperation in the construction and upgradation of the Kalewa – Yagyi Road section. It is a land bridge that connects India with South East Asia.

Nehginpao Kipgen is an assistant professor and executive director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University.