Manmohan Singh may visit Myanmar next month

New Delhi, Apr 3 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, may undertake a visit to Myanmar next month in an endeavor to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

According to reports, Dr. Singh would be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Myanmar in the past 25 years.

The Indian Prime Minister's reported visit to Myanmar assumes significance, as it will take place at a time when Myanmar is moving towards democracy, with Aung San Suu Kyi leading the National League of Democracy (NLD) to a landslide victory in the by-elections.

Moreover, India today welcomed the successful conduct of by-elections that took place in Myanmar on April 1.

"We welcome the successful conduct of bye-elections in Myanmar on April 1. The results that have been officially announced so far show that Aung San Suu Kyi has led the National League of Democracy (NLD) to a landslide victory," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

"The NLD won all 40 of the seats declared so far out of the 45 for which the bye elections are being held. We extend our heartiest congratulations to Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy. These elections represent a major milestone in Myanmar's transition towards multiparty democracy," he added.

India-Myanmar relations are rooted in shared historical, ethnic, cultural and religious ties. As the land of Lord Buddha, India is a country of pilgrimage for the people of Myanmar.

India and Myanmar share a long land border of over 1600 km and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.

India and Myanmar signed a treaty of friendship in 1951. India-Myanmar relations have developed and diversified satisfactorily.

A number of agreements enhancing bilateral cooperation have been signed. Institutional mechanisms for facilitating regular dialogue on a range of issues of bilateral interest have also been established. (ANI)