India-Myanmar relations grew in past two years: President

Relations between India and Myanmar have seen accelerated growth over the past two years, President Pranab Mukherjee said after welcoming the chief of the Myanmar Army, Vice Senior General Soe Win.

"India has in the last two years sought to extend and broaden defence cooperation with Myanmar. India stands ready to build on this, particularly at a time when Myanmar is engaged in far-reaching political and economic reforms," the president said in a statement Thursday.

The president met Win at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Wednesday.

Mukherjee recalled that during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Myanmar in May 2012, both countries emphasised the need for enhanced cooperation between security forces and border guarding agencies for securing peace, security and stability in the border areas.

The president noted that in 2012, Myanmar received the three Indian chiefs of defence forces and said India was happy to host the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his delegation in August the same year.

Mukherjee said the Indian armed forces have assisted the Myanmar Army in training and capacity building.

Win said the Myanmar government was aware of the importance of peace and cooperation on the border and that it will increase cooperation with India.