Indo-Myanmar bonhomie: Suu Kyi returns to India after 40 yrs

New Delhi, Nov 13: Indo-Myanmar relationship is all set to reach a new height. Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is returning back to India after a gap of 40 years on Tuesday, Nov 13. Her India visit will be special as Suu Kyi is coming on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, arrives at Yangon International airport before departing for India in yangon, Myanmar.

Suu Kyi will be in India to deliver the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture and meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday, renewing the focus on strengthening ties between the two neighbours.

Suu Kyi spent her formative years in the country and studied and lived in New Delhi. She is a great admirer of Rammohan Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Sources say during her trip, Suu Kyi would try to learn new things from India to help develop Myanmar which has just come out of decades of political and economic isolation. She is particularly interested in learning from the Indian experience in agriculture, health, science and technology.

Diplomatic observers say the country is breaking free of the "Chinese grip" on its economy and external trade.

India, which has played a part in coaxing the generals in Myanmar into political reforms that have unfolded in the past year, sees its relations as part of its effort to reinvigorate its "Look East" policy that aims at improving diplomatic and commercial ties with its neighbours in Southeast and East Asia.

Officials said Myanmar is looking at India for more investment and trade.

India has agreed to upgrade an extensive network of roads and bridges in Myanmar that would effectively connect the country to Thailand as early as 2016.

Suu Kyi, who has made the transition from a freedom fighter to a politician, is aware of the nation building that lies ahead.

OneIndia News