Swaraj in Myanmar to hold talks with country's leadership

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived here on a two-day visit during which she is expected to hold discussions with Myanmar's top leadership on key bilateral and regional issues, including the situation in the Rakhine state from where thousands of Rohingya Muslims had fled following violence last year.

Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and it shares a 1,640 km border with a number of northeastern states, including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

On her arrival in Nay Pyi Taw, Swaraj was warmly received by India's Ambassador Vikram Misri and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar U Myint Thu.

"EAM will hold discussions with Myanmar leadership to further reinforce our bilateral ties," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

She is expected to hold discussion on the situation in the violence-hit Rakhine state.

An estimated 6,00,000 Rohingya Muslims had fled Myanmar's Rakhine State since August last year after large-scale violence there.

In December last, India had announced a development assistance of USD 25 million for the Rakhine state.

India yesterday sent to Bangladesh its second relief consignment to help tens of thousands of displaced following a military crackdown.