NAY PYI TAW, Sept 6: India and Myanmar today agreed that terrorism remains one of the most significant threats to peace and stability in the region and the fight against the menace should also include strong measures against countries and entities who finance and provide sanctuary to terrorists.
In a joint statement issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, the two sides called on the international community to end selective and partial approaches to combating terrorism.
The two leaders discussed the security situation prevailing along their borders and expressed concern at various incidents of terrorism and extremist-inspired violence that have taken place in their countries.
The two sides agreed that the fight against terrorism should target not only terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against States and entities that encourage, support or finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, the statement said.
Myanmar condemned the recent terror attacks during the Amarnath Yatra in India as also various acts of terror perpetrated by terrorists from across the borders.
On its part, India condemned the recent terrorist attacks in northern Rakhine State, wherein several members of the Myanmar security forces lost their lives.
“Both sides agreed that terrorism violates human rights and there should, therefore, be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs,” the joint statement said.
They jointly called for the expeditious finalisation and adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the United Nations General Assembly, it added.
Recognising that maintenance of security and stability along the common border is essential for the socio-economic development of the peoples of the border areas, Myanmar reaffirmed its respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.
Myanmar also vowed not to allow any insurgent group to utilise its soil to undertake hostile acts against India, the statement said.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated the measures taken by Myanmar towards peace and national reconciliation and commended the on-going peace process in the country.
He noted that peace and stability in Myanmar are of the highest priority to India and reiterated India’s continued support to Myanmar in consolidating democratic institutions in the country and for the emergence of a democratic Federal Republic, the statement said.
Noting that the situation in the troubled Rakhine State had a developmental as well as a security dimension, the two sides agreed to bring about overall socio-economic development there by undertaking both infrastructure and socio-economic projects, particularly in the spheres of education, health, agriculture and allied activities.
Myanmar welcomed India’s offer of assistance under the Rakhine State Development Programme and the two sides agreed to finalize the implementation modalities within the next few months, the statement added.
Modi also asserted that India stands by Myanmar amid the challenges the country is facing.
He said that India has decided to grant gratis (no-cost) visa to Myanmarese citizens who wish to visit the country.
Modi highlighted the development initiatives India was undertaking in Mynamar especially in capacity building, which Suu Kyi said her country needed the most.
“I believe the democratic experience of India is relevant for Myanmar and that is why we are proud of our massive support in the capacity building of the executive, legislature, election commission and press council and other institutions in Myanmar,” Modi said.
Talking about India’s assistance to Myanmar, he said the work on the Paletwa Inland Waterways Terminal and Sittwe port under the Kaladan project has been completed.
Modi also noted that the high-speed diesel from India has started coming through trucks to meet the needs of Upper Myanmar.
Under the development partnership, Modi highlighted India’s assistance in the development of high quality education and healthcare and research facilities in Myanmar.
He said in future also India would take up projects that will be according to the needs and priorities of Myanmar.
“Today’s agreements will strengthen our all-round bilateral cooperation,” the Prime Minister said.
He also lauded Suu Kyi’s leadership in Myanmar’s peace process.
Earlier, during the delegation-level talks, Modi said, “We would like to contribute to Myanmar’s development efforts as part of our ‘Sabka saath sabka vikaas’ initiative.”
He said deepening the relationship with Myanmar was a priority for India, as a neighbour and also in the context of the ‘Act East Policy’.
Later in the day, Modi flew to Bagan and paid respects at the Ananda Temple there.
Modi arrived here on the second leg of his two-nation trip after he travelled to the southeastern Chinese city Xiamen where he attended the annual BRICS Summit.
Yesterday, Modi called on Myanmarese President Htin Kyaw, describing it as a “wonderful meeting”.
They had discussed steps to deepen the “historical relationship” between the two neighbours.
This is Modi’s first bilateral visit to Myanmar. He had visited the country in 2014 to attend the ASEAN-India Summit.
The Myanmarese President and Suu Kyi had visited India last year.
Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern States including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur. (PTI)
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