Myanmar close neighbour, Mauritius a relative, says Kalam

On Board President's Special Aircraft, Mar 8 (UNI) ''I am visiting a close neighbour and friend and a relative'' was how President A P J Abdul Kalam described his six-day visit to Myanmar and Mauritius that began today.

Interacting with mediapersons on board the his special aircraft, Dr Kalam described Myanmar as ''a good neighbour and friend'' and said the purpose of his visit was to ''meet State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) chairman Senior General Than Shwe whom I know very well''.

Similarly, he sought to infuse a new warmth in India's relations with Mauritius by describing the Indian Ocean nation as a ''relative'' as 75 per cent of its population had roots in India.

''The focus of my visit is economic cooperation and the purpose is to also strengthen and consolidate ties in the IT and infrastucture sectors,'' he said.

Referring to the use of Myanmar's territory by the insurgents in India's northeast region, Dr Kalam said he would take up the issue with the Senior General.

When General Than Shwe was in India in October 2004, he had assured that all necessary steps would be taken to eliminate insurgency.

He said relations with Myanmar were not just confined to economic and political affairs, but also extended to the cultural sphere.

Indians revere Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda and the mausoleum of last Mughal King Bahadur Shah Zafar who led the first war of independence in 1857 against the colonial rule. The Mughal emperor was exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon) after being found guilty by the British authorities of treason and revolt.

Dr Kalam who will be the chief guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius on March 12, said this occasion was important for India because Mahatma Gandhi led the 'Dandi March' to protest the oppressive Salt Law on this date in 1930.

UNI SKS/SMA LR HS1738