Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing on Monday assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Myanmar's territory would not be allowed to be used against India's security interests, as the two leaders held wide-ranging talks on trade, defence, energy and border management.
The assurance came during bilateral discussions in New Delhi that covered the full spectrum of India-Myanmar ties, including economic cooperation, security, development assistance and regional issues.
Briefing reporters after the talks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and maintaining mutual security interests.
"The prime minister reaffirmed India's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and both sides underscored the importance of preventing the misuse of sovereign territory for activities inimical to their security interests," Misri said.
"The President of Myanmar, in particular, reiterated the assurance that Myanmar's territory would not be permitted to be used against India's security interests," he added.
The commitment assumes significance as Myanmar shares a 1,640-km border with India, touching the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Security cooperation and border management have remained key pillars of bilateral relations amid concerns over insurgent activities and cross-border movement.
According to Misri, the two sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade and investment, health, education, energy and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The discussions also touched on the situation in Myanmar and the ongoing peace process. Responding to a question on detained former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Misri said Modi raised the issue in the context of promoting an inclusive peace process.
He reiterated India's longstanding position of supporting enduring peace, inclusivity and engagement with all stakeholders in Myanmar.
"It was a bit of a free-wheeling discussion. I should underline that our engagement with Myanmar is not intended to be a commentary on the internal political arrangement in that country," Misri said.
The Myanmar President is on a five-day visit to India and is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials and business leaders. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had met Hlaing on Sunday ahead of the bilateral talks.
Officials said the visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to deepen their long-standing partnership and work together for regional growth, stability and prosperity.
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