(Video) Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) The Big Picture: India-Myanmar Ties

Topic: India-Myanmar Ties

Guest:

Vivek Katju, (Former Ambassador)
Prof. Harsh V. Pant, (Head, Strategic Studies, Observer Research Foundation)
Subimal Bhattacharjee, (Defence and Security Analyst)
Akhilesh Suman, (Assistant Editor, RSTV)

Topic Description:

India and Myanmar on Thursday exchanged 10 agreements in a number of fields ranging from infrastructure, energy, communication and health. The agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed and exchanged after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Myanmar President at Hyderabad House. The two leaders held discussions on a wide range of bilateral issues. The visiting dignitary arrived in India on Wednesday on a four-day official visit. Earlier in the day, Myanmar’s President was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also visited Rajghat and paid tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. India and Myanmar have close religious, linguistic and ethnic ties. Myanmar is the only ASEAN country bordering India which provides a gateway to South East Asia. In line with its Act East and Neighbourhood First policies, India has laid emphasis on boosting its cooperation with Myanmar. India is the fifth largest trading partner of Myanmar and the current bilateral trade stands at US $ 1.7 billion.