India-Myanmar Joint Statement during the visit of State Counsellor of Myanmar to India

October 19, 2016

  • At the invitation of H.E. Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, H.E. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, paid a State visit to India from October 17-19, 2016. Earlier, the State Counsellor had participated in the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit in Goa on October 16.
  • State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included U Kyaw Win, Union Minister for Planning and Finance, U Kyaw Tin, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, U Toe Aung Myint, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and U Kyaw Lynn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Construction. She was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on October 18, 2016. The Prime Minister hosted a lunch in her honour.
  • State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi paid tribute and respect to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. She recalled the historic and fraternal support extended by the leaders of both India and Myanmar to the freedom movements in each others’ country.
  • H.E. Smt Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister of India, had a meeting with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
  • The Indian leadership congratulated the State Counsellor on the historic achievement of the National League for Democracy at the general elections in Myanmar last year and underlined India’s commitment to support the Government of Myanmar in its quest to achieve the aspirations of the Myanmar people.
  • The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on various issues of mutual interest. India expressed support for the efforts of the State Counsellor for the economic and social development of the country, especially in the creation of livelihood, capacity building, reconstruction of roads, provision of power, education facilities and health infrastructure that would contribute to progress and prosperity of the people of Myanmar. It was agreed that areas for cooperation identified during the visit to India of Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw in August 2016 would be fast-tracked for implementation.
  • India expressed the hope that, as a diverse and pluralistic society, Myanmar will be able to find equitable solutions peacefully through consultations among all stakeholders. India reaffirmed its commitment to assist Myanmar’s efforts for strengthening democratic institutions and to support the 21st Century Panglong peace process now underway in Myanmar and expressed the hope that this would lead to enduring peace.
  • In the context of the recent terrorist attacks in Uri, the State Counsellor condemned the terrorist incident and conveyed her deep condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives. The Prime Minister also condemned the recent armed attacks against three border posts in the northern part of Rakhine State and expressed his profound sympathy for the families of the policemen killed in the attacks.
  • Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as well as all acts, methods and practices of terrorism wherever, by whomever, against whomsoever committed and agreed that the fight against terrorism should target terrorists, hold to account terror organisations, networks and also states that encourage, support or finance terrorism in any way. Both sides also agreed that terrorism is first and foremost a violation of human rights and that there can be no justification for extending support, financing, provision of material resources or training to terrorists who destroy innocent lives. Both countries called for the expeditious finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism presently being negotiated in the United Nations.
  • Both sides shared the view that maintaining security along the border is essential for the socio-economic development of the border area. In this regard, both sides underlined their mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to fight insurgent activity and the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both sides expressed the view that the long-standing commitment not to allow insurgent groups to use their soil for hostile activities against the other side is essential for the prosperity of the people residing along the border. In this context, it was agreed that the border guarding forces on both sides would further coordinate and exchange information towards securing the common borders. Both sides also agreed to expedite discussions regarding the relevant border segments.
  • Both sides expressed their mutual respect for the already-demarcated boundary between the two countries, and stressed the need to resolve outstanding boundary demarcation issues as soon as possible through existing mechanisms.
  • Understanding that enabling and facilitating regulated and easy movement of people across the land borders for business, tourism and other purposes is in the mutual interest of both countries, both sides also agreed to coordinate, through diplomatic channels, the setting up of immigration facilities at the Tamu-Moreh and Rhi-Zowkhathar border crossing points.
  • Both sides agreed to remove impediments to trade and commerce to enable bilateral trade and investment to reach its full potential. It was agreed to hold early meetings of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC), Joint Working Groups on Border Trade and Border Haats, and on Railways and Shipping. Myanmar side reiterated its intention to invite Indian companies to participate in competitive tenders for petrochemical and petroleum products, marketing infrastructure and the setting up of LPG terminals.
  • Both sides agreed on the need for close cooperation on the development of ocean-based Blue Economy and Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and to chart out ways for future cooperation.
  • The two sides reviewed the development cooperation initiatives being undertaken with technical and financial assistance from the Government of India and agreed that these should be expedited, as the areas of connectivity upgradation, capacity building, agriculture, education infrastructure, healthcare and IT and industrial training, and various training programmes have a direct linkage with the well being of the people.
  • India expressed its willingness to support pulses research in Myanmar by extending cooperation in the area of developing improved varieties, cultivation practices and pulses procurement. The project proposal on the Establishment of Varietal Development and Seed Production Centre on Pulses would be finalised soon.
  • Recognising the contribution of power infrastructure, generation and transmission capacity to socio-economic progress, India will assist in strengthening the power supply elements on projects identified by the Myanmar Government. In this context, both sides expressed satisfaction over the signing of an MoU between India and Myanmar on Cooperation in the field of Power.
  • As a technology demonstration pilot project, Myanmar welcomed the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the provisioning and installation of LED based energy efficient lighting projects in Myanmar. Both sides agreed to select the location through consultations between India, Myanmar and relevant state government.
  • Recognizing the need to upgrade training infrastructure and capacity-building of Police, India agreed to support Myanmar in creating police training infrastructure and to share expertise in developing training manuals, including in forensics and cyber-security. The Yamethin Women’s Police Training Centre would be developed into a Centre of Excellence by providing appropriate standards, environment, infrastructure and materials for training.
  • The Myanmar side expressed its deep appreciation to the Government of India for all assistance rendered to Myanmar in its endeavours for economic and social development.
  • The India side agreed to Myanmar’s request to provide more diplomatic trainings related to the capacity building of Myanmar Foreign Service officers and to assist Myanmar in its ongoing efforts for the development of a diplomatic academy in Yangon.
  • The two sides agreed to set up an Eminent Persons Group to explore means of consolidating and further expanding the multi-faceted relations between the two countries. It was decided that the modalities for the establishment and working of the Group would be worked out subsequently.
  • Turning to regional and multilateral affairs, both leaders noted the commonality of their views on global issues of consequence. Both sides underlined the need for early reform of the UN Security Council. Myanmar side reiterated its support for India’s efforts to become a permanent member in an expanded and reformed UN Security Council.
  • The Myanmar side congratulated India for the successful hosting of BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit which has been just concluded in Goa. The two sides also took note of discussions during the Outreach Summit and expressed their shared commitment to promoting regional cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, transportation, connectivity, energy and counter terrorism within the BIMSTEC framework.
  • The State Counsellor thanked the President of India for the hospitality extended to her during her stay in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The State Counsellor also thanked the Prime Minister of India for the exceptional hospitality extended to her and to the members of the delegation during their visit to India.
  • The State Counsellor extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of India to visit Myanmar at the earliest possible mutually convenient date and the invitation was accepted. The dates for the visits will be coordinated through diplomatic channels.