India-Myanmar embarks new journey after 25 years

Starting a new dawn in the relationship between two neighbors countries, India and Myanmar have embarked a new journey for a better tomorrow. After a long silence both the nations have started new era when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and president of Myanmar Thein Sein talks jointly on various key issues between both the countries.

Manmohan Singh held talks with Thein Sein on tackling terror and expanding trade on the second day of his three-day visit - the first by an Indian prime minister in 25 years. Both the leaders said that it is need of time that both the country works together for better results.

On the occasion Prime minister said that India is committed to to strengthening its "economic and development partnership with Myanmar".

According to external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, the prime minister also commended Thein Sein, credited with introducing dramatic reforms in Myanmar, for the changes he was bringing about.

Official sources have declared talks as warm and cordial in which more thatn 12 agreements were signed. These included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a $500 million credit line between Export-Import Bank of India and the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank as well as pacts on India-Myanmar border area development and on air services.

There were MoUs to set up the Myanmar Institute of Information Technology and the Advance Centre for Agriculture Research and Education, Yezin Agriculture University.

A rice bio park, establishing border "haats" and setting up a joint trade and investment forum were covered as well.

India and Myanmar entered into an agreement of cooperation between the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS).

The late Rajiv Gandhi was the last Indian prime minister to visit Myanmar in 1987.

On Tuesday, Manmohan Singh flies to Yangon where he meets pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

(With inputs from IANS)