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Jaswant to visit Myanmar

External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh will undertake a three-day official visit to Myanmar from February 13 marking a new and significant course in bilateral relations.

During the visit, Singh will inaugurate the Rs 1 billion 165-km long Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa road, the first of its kind in Myanmar developed by the Border Roads Organisation paving the way for greater cross border linkages with India.

He will hold wide-ranging discussions with senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, the highest decision-making body, on regional, international and issues of mutual concern.

Besides Than Shwe who is also the prime minister and defence minister, Singh will have intensive parleys with his counterpart U Win Aung.

Problems of international terrorism and drug trafficking, issues relating to economic cooperation, trade, cross border projects and steps to enhance regional cooperation are expected to figure during his talks, a senior external affairs ministry official told reporters Saturday.

Cross-border drug trafficking, insurgency and smuggling of illegal arms have been a source of serious concern for both countries which share a long and porous border stretching over 1600 kms. The international boundary with Myanmar is shared by Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Singh's visit comes close on the heels of the trip to India in November last by Gen Maung Aye, vice-chairman of the SPDC, who met the country's top leadership.

On its part, Myanmar is rolling out the red carpet for Singh with senior SPDC members slated to accord him a warm welcome when he arrives at Tamu on Tuesday.

New Delhi finds itself on slippery turf having supported pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on the one hand and, on the other, holding talks with the military regime there.

The official line on this is that the Indian government wishes the people of Myanmar well and follows the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

The external affairs minister will be leading a high-level delegation comprising the Manipur chief minister and ministers from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam.

His team also includes officials from the ministries of external affairs, home and power. The director general of BRO and G-O-C 3rd Corps from Dimapur will also be part of the Indian delegation.

India is Myanmar's largest export market. While Indian exports to Myanmar during 1999-2000, including rolling stock, pharmaceuticals, small plants and equipment touched 75.36 million US dollars, imports from that country including pulses, beans, gem stones and semi-precious stones was 141.14 million dollars.

Vajpayee had visited Myanmar as foreign minister in 1977 and a decade later Rajiv Gandhi undertook a trip there as prime minister, the last high level visit to that country from the Indian side.

India is keen on broadbasing its relations with Myanmar which acknowledges the tremendous potential for giving a substantial boost to bilateral trade and economic ties.

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