Vice President Ansari arrives in Myanmar

New Delhi, Feb 5: Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari arrived in Nay Pyi Taw, capital of Myanmar, on a four-day visit along with a high-level delegation comprising parliamentarians and a business delegation. Ansari was given a warm reception at the Nay Pyi Taw Airport and inspected a guard of honour by the Myamar Army.

The Vice Premier General of Myanmar, Maung Aye,and External Affairs Minister U Nayan received the Indian delegation.

The high-level business delegation accompanying Ansari comprises officials of the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) , Tata Motors, Gas Authority of India Ltd, Bharat Heavy Electric Limited (BHEL) among others. Tata Motors is setting up a truck-manufacturing unit in Myanmar.

The delegation will hold talks with Vice Senior General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). They will also meet Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of SPDC.

The delegation is scheduled to attend the inauguration of the Myanmar-India Entrepreneurship Development Center (MIEDC) at the Institute of Economics, Hlaing Campus in Yangon.

India is expected to sign three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Myanmar; set up an industrial training centre, Centre for English language and Entrepreneurship training centre besides signing investment promotion agreements.

Ties between India and its eastern neighbour have been consolidated in recent years.

In May last year, Indian Navy ships were the first to reach relief to Myanmar in the wake of the devastating severe cyclone 'Nargis'. Later, the Indian Air Force also joined relief efforts.

India is also helping Myanmar in building infrastructure and boosting development.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has built the 160 km-long Tamu-Kalewa-Kaylemyo road on the Indo-Myanmar border.

The two sides inked agreements last year on bilateral investment protection while New Delhi committed 120 million dollars line of credit for power facilities in Myanmar.

ANI