Initiate inquiry into use of force : India tells Myanmar

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) India today conveyed to Myanmar New Delhi's concern over the situation in that country and suggested that the South-East Asian nation could initiate inquiry into the recent use of force by military junta against pro-democracy agitators.

New Delhi also hoped that that the process of national reconciliation and political reform, started by the Government of Myanmar, would be taken forward expeditiously.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee met UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon and Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win in New York separately today on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Session and discussed the Myanmar situation.

The Minister told his Myanmar counterpart that as a close and friendly neighbour, India hoped to see peace, prosperity and stability in that country.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman here said Mr Mukherjee also expressed the hope that the process of national reconciliation and political reform, initiated by the Government of Myanmar, would be taken forward expeditiously.

''He suggested that the (Myanmar) Government could consider undertaking an inquiry into recent incidents and the use of force,'' the spokesman said.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Shivshanker Menon had met Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Special Advisor of the UN Secretary General, on September 24.

The meeting followed upon the visit of Mr Gambari to New Delhi in July 2007 during which he held discussions with the Foreign Secretary regarding developments in Myanmar.

''These meetings took place in context of India's continuing engagement on these issues,'' the spokesman added.

UNI