NEW DELHI, Jun 1 : President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said that Myanmar is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and an important partner in the country’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies.
Welcoming Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu said that the two countries share deep cultural, civilisational, and spiritual ties that go back centuries.
“Our relationship rests on a strong foundation of mutual understanding and friendship. Myanmar is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, as it is the only ASEAN country that shares a land border with India. It is an important partner in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’, ‘Act East’, and ‘MAHASAGAR’ policies,” she said.
President Aung Hlaing is on a five-day visit to India.
Murmu congratulated her Myanmarese counterpart on assuming office as the President of Myanmar and said that India looks forward to working closely with the new government to further strengthen bilateral partnership.
She said that India stands ready to support the government of Myanmar’s efforts in line with its priorities.
The President conveyed India’s steadfast support for Myanmar’s pursuit of peace and reconciliation.
Murmu said that connectivity is an important pillar of the India-Myanmar partnership, and expressed hope that ongoing connectivity projects will be completed at the earliest with the support of the government there.
Noting that India-Myanmar trade relationship has expanded in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, machinery, and agricultural products, she said that bilateral trade still remains below its potential, and “we can work together to enhance it further”.
The two leaders expressed confidence that the friendship between India and Myanmar will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.
Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbours and it shares a 1,640-kilometer-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur. (PTI)
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