India, Myanmar ink MoU on appointment of private port operator

India and Myanmar signed a pact 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, in an effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The agreement was signed during Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale's one day visit to Myanmar on Monday, where he met Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications, U Win Khant.

Foreign Secretary Gokhale also called on the State Counsellor, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. All 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 this meeting, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs read.

The Foreign Secretary also called on 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.

The MoU signed is a significant step in the implementation of India's Act East Policy as its signing will enhance Myanmar's connectivity including 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 statement added.

Foreign Secretary Gokhale also earlier 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.

"The Foreign Secretary 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," the statement said.