Indo-Myanmar talks begin; to focus on insurgency, border managemen

New Delhi, Sep 13 (UNI) The 12th meeting of the Home Secretaries of India and Myanmar began here today with focus on Indian insurgent groups present in Myanmar and effective border management between the two countries.

The meeting, which would continue till four days, began on a friendly note, a Home Ministry official said.

The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary V K Duggal and that of Myanmar by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Brigadier General Phone Swe.

The meeting is part of an annual exercise between the two countries to discuss issues related to maintenance of peace and tranquility along the India-Myanmar border.

Steps to curb smuggling of arms and ammunition, illicit trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substances and progress of various cross-border projects over which the two countries have agreed to cooperate will also be reviewed during the four-day talks.

With insurgent groups from Manipur and Nagaland like ULFA, UNLF, PLA, NSCN (K) and NSCN (IM) operating from Myanmar, New Delhi will utilise the opportunity to request for flushing them out.

Myanmar has not yet agreed to Bhutan like action against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs).

India shares 1,643 km border with Myanmar, and Arunachal Pradesh alone accounts for 520 km followed closely by Mizoram with 510 km.

Manipur shares 398 km of its international boundary with Myanmar and Nagaland another 258 km.

Boundary dispute are very minor as only nine border pillars, all in Manipur, were points of contention. It was decided to put up a 10-km fence at Moreh in Manipur but work is yet to begin.

Border management and fencing too are expected to be discussed at the talks. The issues are likely to be taken up in the light of recent reports regarding smuggling of Chinese grenades and counterfeit Indian currency through the Myanmar border.

During the last meeting, held at Yangon in October last year, issues relating to security, drug trafficking, border trade, border management and proposed infrastructure projects in Myanmar were discussed.

The delegation also called on Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

UNI SH VD RN2006