Nay Pyi Taw, May 28 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Monday said India is following its own foreign policy and is undeterred by the growing Chinese influence in neighboring Myanmar.
Krishna, who is accompanying Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on a three-day state visit to Myanmar said: "Each country has its own relationship, Myanmar has its relationship with China; India has its relationship with China so let us not mix up issues"
" Each relationship stands on a pedestal created over a period of time," Krishna added.
China has invested 14 billion dollars in Burma which is more than 35 per cent of Burma's total foreign investments and ha, according to government statistics.
China is now Burma's No. 1 investor, passing Thailand. While the current trade between India and Myanmar is modest 1.3 billion dollars. India-Myanmar are looking forward to double the trade figures by 2015.
Meanwhile, Dr Singh is holding talks with Myanmarese leadership led by president Thein Sein today and is seeking to boost ties in energy sector, infrastructure, connectivity and security sphere.
Top business delegation led by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Atul Punj, Hari Bhartia, RV Kanoria and Naveen Jindal is also in Myanmar.
Speaking exclusively to ANI on the sidelines of the bilateral visit, Krishna also stressed on a need to deepen security relations between the two countries.
""India and Myanmar both facing terrorism and insurgency, hence it is necessary that both of us work out a joint strategy as to how to meet with these terror elements and also the insurgents on either side," he said.
Krishna also said that India is ready to assist Myanmar on its path to growth on the economic front.
Praising the chairperson of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, Krishna said: "She (Suu Kyi) is one of the important leader of this country, a great freedom fighter."
"I think its but natural for the Indian Prime Minister too receive her with due courtesy and convey our best wishes for a national reconciliation for a democratic process to blossom in this country," he added. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)
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