Myanmar keen to bolster defence, security ties with India

Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defence Services, Sr Gen U Min Aung Hliang, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chiefs of the three services and senior officials of Defence Ministry on Wednesday and discussed plans for deepening engagement in defence and security with India. The Myanmar Army chief expressed willingness for cooperation in strategic areas in the light of northeast insurgents operating in the region and in the maritime security domain. During his meeting with Modi, Hliang conveyed the view of Myanmar Government that it will remain an important platform in support of India’s Act East Policy. 

Hliang’s s visit comes shortly after Myanmar Foreign Minister came to India for talks with External Affairs Minister Suhma Swaraj. These visits assume importance in the light of surgical strikes by Indian Army on June 9, 2015, on the terror camps of Naga insurgents along its border with Myanmar.

During his meeting with Modi, Hliang appreciated India’s role as a reliable development partner for Myanmar. He said Myanmar considers its relationship with India very important, not only as a neighbour, but also as a country with longstanding historical and cultural ties, shared interests and strong people-to-people ties with Myanmar, a statement from Prime Minister’s Office said.

During their meeting, Hliang conveyed the invitation of President U Thein Sein to Modi to visit Myanmar to which the PM said he “looked forward to visiting Myanmar at an early date”. The Prime Minister also invited President Sein to visit India. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Myanmar in all areas, including defence and security while expressing India’s support to Myanmar in its endeavours for national development.  Terming Myanmar as “India’s gateway to ASEAN”, Modi called for greater connectivity between the two countries and beyond. 

On Tuesday, Hliang had met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag and chief of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) lt Gen Anil Bhalla. The Myanmarese General had also visited the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC), Navy’s nodal centre of National Command Control Communications and Intelligence Network (NC3I Network). He was also given a detailed briefing on “India’s Security Perspective” by the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, sources said.