Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw managed to further ties with India on several fronts in the country, with he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing on various factors pertaining to the border, like trade and security. The two countries also signed four treaties, focusing mostly on transport and infrastructure.
Addressing mediapersons jointly after the bilateral talks, Modi said: "We recognised that our security interests are closely aligned. And, we agreed on the need to remain sensitive to each other's strategic interests and concerns. To this end, President [Htin Kyaw] and I agreed to work together for the safety and security of our people, and actively cooperate to combat the common challenges of terrorism and insurgent activity in our region."
Modi also conveyed "India's full support to the peace process initiative under the '21st Century Panglong Conference.'"
Speaking about the deals inked on Monday, Modi said: "The two operational agreements signed today will facilitate the construction and upgrading of 69 bridges and the Kalewa-Yargi road section of the Trilateral Highway Project."
In his statement, Modi also said: "We are also determined to deepen our cooperation in agriculture, banking, power, and energy. The MoUs [memoranda of understanding] on cooperation in renewable energy and on traditional systems of medicine will operationalise our cooperation in these areas."
Modi's statement also included something that many poor people across the country could see as a ray of hope. He said: "We have also agreed to work towards a long-term and a mutually beneficial arrangement for trade in pulses."
Culture also featured prominently in the bilateral talks. Modi said in his address: "I am happy that our partnership is restoring the Ananda temple in Bagan in Myanmar. We are also ready to restore other historic monuments and pagodas, which were damaged in the earthquake which hit Myanmar just last week."
