Rio calls for stronger India-Myanmar bilateral ties

Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who was on a five-day visit to neighbouring Myanmar on an invitation of the Naga members of Myanmar Parliament, on Saturday returned to the state, officials said.
Adviser to Chief Minister Abu Metha said during his visit, Rio met the Myanmar Union Border Affairs Minister Lt Gen Thet Naing, Speaker of the Myanmar Parliament Thura U Shwe Mann, the Chief Minister of Mandalay U Ye Mint and Chief Minister of Sagiang, U Thar Aye, the vice-president of the Union Solidarity Party, Naga Myanmar Members of Parliament, civil society representatives, entrepreneurs and the Indian Council General of Mandalay, Dr Madan Mohan Sethi.
The Speaker of the Myanmar Parliament, during his meeting with Rio, described the Chief Minister’s visit as historic and important, while appreciating his efforts towards development and progress of the Naga inhabited areas in Myanmar, and appealed to the Nagaland government for cooperation and support in improving bilateral ties with India, Mehta said. Mann also appreciated India for development of roads and connectivity in the Naga areas.
The CM in his address said the visit was to promote peace, better understanding and development among the two countries, he said. Rio appreciated Myanmar for the recognition accorded to the Nagas in the form of the Naga Self Autonomous Zone and highlighted the Prime Minister’s aid package of USD 25 million to Myanmar, over a five year period, meant for the border regions, specially the Naga areas.
He called for stronger bilateral ties between Myanmar and India, increased mutual cooperation, more trade and commerce and people-to-people contact, the CM’s adviser said. Extending India’s cooperation and assistance towards the neighbouring country, Rio said the Northeast and Myanmar were at the core of India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and hoped the region would become an important place in the global economy, particularly in the ASEAN region.
During his meeting with the Myanmar Minister of Border Affairs, Rio stressed on improved connectivity in the Naga areas and said on the Indian side, roads have been constructed at all meeting points, the CM’s adviser said.  Rio expressed confidence that bilateral relations between India and Myanmar would reach new heights during the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposed visit to the neighbouring country in March, Mehta added. (PTI)