Krishna reaches Myanmar, eye on security, trade and economy

Yangon, June 20: Seeking to step up ties with Myanmar, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna arrived here today (Jun 4) for high level talks with the new civilian leadership in the fields of security cooperation and energy security.

Krishna, who is the first high-level visitor from India since the new civilian government took over, was received by Yagon Region Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Tun Oo along with Indian Ambassador V S Seshadri and other officials.

The three-day visit will focus on a number of issues relating to bilateral relations with Myanmar. Commerce and economic relations will be high on agenda along with security cooperation.

"The visit will give us the opportunity to further vitalise our multi-faceted relationship in the new political environment. We will have an exchange of views on enhancing security cooperation as well as our collaboration in the fields of connectivity, IT, energy, agriculture, power telecommunications and infrastructure," Krishna had said in New Delhi.

Official sources said the visit is an opportunity to engage with the new civilian government which took over in March. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is also part of visiting delegation.

Krishna is expected to call on the the country's President, Vice-President and the Speaker besides holding delegation-level talks with his counterpart U Nyan Win.

PTI