India and Myanmar today resolved to strengthen bilateral security and defence cooperation for maintaining peace and stability along the 1,640-km-long border, some stretch of which is porous and den for cross- border crime and insurgency in the northeast.
In their talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw discussed ways for "sound border management" holding it an intrinsic part of maintaining security, peace and stability along the entire length of the border.
A joint statement said both sides reiterated their commitment to "respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the other and to continue practising the policy of not allowing any insurgent groups to use their soil for hostile activities against the other side".
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It said both the sides "reaffirmed" their shared commitment to fight the scourge of terrorism and insurgent activity in all its forms and manifestations, adding it was agreed that enhanced cooperation between security forces and border guarding agencies was key to ensure peace in border areas.
A number of insurgent groups including the NSCN-K carry out attacks in India while reportedly operating from Myanmar's territory. The Indian Army is said to have carried out a cross border strike targeting two insurgent camps in Myanmar last year.
Earlier this month, the Army had an encounter with with NSCN-K cadres who tried to infiltrate into Nagaland from Myanmar. India has been raising with Myanmar the issue of several northeast militant groups having training camps in that country.
"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral security and defence cooperation, which is crucial for maintaining peace and stability along the long India-Myanmar border," the statement said.
On the maritime security sphere, both sides agreed that such cooperation in the Bay of Bengal is vital for both countries.
As per the joint statement, Myanmar informed the Indian side that State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi will come to India to participate in the forthcoming Outreach Summit between BRICS and BIMSTEC on October 16.
Holding terrorism as the most serious threat facing the world, the two sides called for further strengthening of the international legal regime to combat the menace.
In this context, they called for early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism currently being negotiated in the United Nations.
(Reopens DEL 65)
Identifying the need for special focus on welfare of people in border areas, both sides agreed to enhance their cooperation to bring about overall socio-economic development in the areas by undertaking infrastructure development and micro-economic projects, including upgrading of roads and construction of schools, health centres and bridges.
The statement said Myanmar reiterated its support for India's efforts to become a permanent member in an expanded and reformed UN Security Council.
The joint statement said both sides agreed to boost bilateral trade in diverse areas including in the hydrocarbons sector. It was agreed to expand collaboration in the oil and hydrocarbon sectors. Indian companies are involved in oil exploration projects in Myanmar.
"Myanmar side agreed to invite Indian companies to participate in competitive tender for petrochemical and petroleum products marketing infrastructure and setting up LPG terminals," the statement said.
It said Indian leadership thanked Myanmar for accepting its request and giving a licence to the State Bank of India to open a bank branch in Myanmar. The two leaders also expressed hope that the modalities of operation of border haats may be finalised soon.
Both sides agreed that an arrangement for supply of pulses from Myanmar to India would be in the mutual interest of Myanmar farmers and Indian consumers.
"They encouraged Indian companies to cooperate with Myanmar farmers in order to improve the quality of pulses production and thus ensure better marketability of the produce in India," it said.
The statement said the two sides expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the implementation of Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project. The two sides agreed that the completed facilities at Sittwe and Paletwa should be operationalised by December 2016.
India also offered to share India's own experiences in evolving parliamentary rules, procedures and practices as well as in managing Union-State.
The statement said the Indian side invited Myanmar to participate in the International Solar Alliance Initiative.
"The Indian side confirmed that a project to preserve and conserve stone inscriptions and temples of King Mindon and King Bagyidaw of Myanmar in Bodh Gaya would be undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India," it said.
The two sides also discussed on setting up immigration facilities at the Tamu-Moreh and Rhi-Zowkhathar border crossing points at an early date.
The President of Myanmar extended an invitation to the President of India and the Prime Minister of India to visit Myanmar and the invitations were accepted.
