India, Myanmar review security, defence issues

India and Myanmar on Friday reviewed the complete range of bilateral relations, “including high- level visits, security and defence related issues, boundary matters and border management, trade and commerce, development cooperation, connectivity, cultural and consular matters”. This was done during the latest round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi wherein the Indian side was led by foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry of external affairs ( MEA) said, “The 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Myanmar were held in New Delhi on June 7, 2018. The Indian side was led by Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary, and the Myanmar side by U Myint Thu, permanent secretary, Myanmar ministry of foreign affairs.”

The MEA added, “During the discussions, the two sides reviewed the complete range of bilateral relations, including high level visits, security and defence related issues, boundary matters and border management, trade and commerce, development cooperation, connectivity, cultural and consular matters. They also exchanged views on sub- regional, regional and global issues of mutual interest. During his stay in India, the Myanmar Permanent Secretary will also visit places of historical and cultural significance in the capital.”

It may be recalled at Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Myanmar last September during which a cautious but supportive India had said that it shares Myanmar’s concerns over “extremist violence” in the Rakhine state and had asked all stakeholders to preserve the country’s unity and territorial integrity.