By IANS,
New Delhi : India and Myanmar, the energy-rich Southeast Asian nation, Friday held wide-ranging talks that focused on expanding their strategic, economic and energy ties.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with Myanmar President U. Thein Sein on a host of issues, including intensification of economic and security cooperation between the two countries.
Myanmar’s president was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan before he sat down for talks with Manmohan Singh.
Thein Sein, who began his four-day state visit to India Wednesday, is understood to have assured India that Myanmarese territory would not be allowed to be used for insurgent activities directed against India.
The two leaders also discussed a swathe of infrastructure projects that will enhance connectivity between Southeast Asian nation and India’s northeastern states.
The two sides decided to speed up the construction of India-aided $120 million Sittwe deep water port with a view to making it operational by June 2013.
The port, when completed, will act as a trade gateway for India’s northeastern states to Southeast Asia by allowing cargo vessels from India’s landlocked state Mizoram to navigate the the Kaladan River and connects them to Myanmar and the East Asia region.