Myanmar holds unique position in India's neighbourhood: Modi

Myanmar, which has recently attained democracy, holds a unique position in India's neighbourhood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

"Myanmar is special for us. It holds a unique position in India's neighbourhood," Modi said in a joint press conference after holding bilateral talks with visiting Myanmar President Htin Kyaw.

"The longstanding cultural and historical linkages between our societies form a solid foundation of our ties," he said.

Modi said India's engagement with Myanmar supported projects in connectivity, infrastructure, capacity building education, healthcare and many other sectors.

India and Myanmar signed four agreements following the bilateral talks, including ones on constructing 69 bridges on the trilateral highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand and cooperation in the field of renewable energy.

President Kyaw, who is on a four-day visit, was in Bodh Gaya in Bihar on Saturday and later visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Sunday.

This is the first presidential visit from Myanmar to India after Nobel laureate Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) came to power in March this year.

Prior to the meeting with Modi on Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on President Kyaw.

Earlier in the day, the visiting dignitary was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

--IANS

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