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Saturday, January 8 8:47 PM SGT
India, Myanmar To Enhance Military Exchanges, TradeNEW DELHI (AP)--Military chiefs of India and Myanmar have met to discuss improved communication and exchanges between their forces along a border where a dozen tribal groups are fighting secessionist wars, a Foreign Ministry statement said Saturday.Gen. V.P. Malik, the Indian army chief, met Gen. Maung Aye, deputy commander-in-chief of the Myanmar defense services, during a visit Thursday to Mandalay, Myanmar, according to the Indian statement. On Friday, Aye accompanied Malik on a day-long visit to the Indian state of Meghalaya where they were joined by Indian commerce and power ministers and top officials from both countries. "The two sides agreed to adopt concrete measures to enhance cooperation in the fields of agriculture, industry, infrastructure development and science and technology," the statement said. Last year, Indian soldiers sealed the frontier with Myanmar after receiving reports that separatist guerrillas had set up training camps across the border. The foreign ministry didn't say whether the Indian army chief discussed the insurgences with his Myanmar counterpart. "The two sides discussed enhanced cooperation and more regular exchanges between the armed forces of the two countries, including in the field of training," the statement said. They also decided to open a second border trade point to boost the economy of the region that has been ravaged by years of insurgency. Indian politicians say opening border trade could diminish the attraction of the separatist movements, giving young people the opportunity to find jobs. Traders say the Indian products most in demand in Myanmar are automobile parts, fruits, grain, vegetables, textiles and cotton yarn. Indian traders want to import electronics, blankets made of synthetics, teak, gold and rubies from Myanmar. The Myanmar government didn't immediately respond to faxed requests Saturday for details or comment on the exchange of visits with India. |