Myanmar's territory shouldn't be used by NE insurgents: India

New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) Barely two days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from a three-day visit to Myanmar, India Thursday said its territory should not be allowed to be used as sanctuary for insurgents of the north-eastern region.

"Our concern is that any part of Myanmar territory should not be used as a sanctuary for insurgents of the north-eastern region... if the Myanmar government apprehends anybody, it should hand over the person to us," Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters here.

During the visit of Manmohan Singh -- the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Myanmar in 25 years -- the two countries agreed to expand trade, improve connectivity and bring peace in border areas and emphasised on closer ties to boost energy security. They also inked a dozen agreements, including a $500 million credit line, on areas like border area development and air services.

The prime minister held wide-ranging talks with Myanmar President Thein Sein as well as opposition leader and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Chidambaram said the talks between the two countries were fruitful and the response from the Myanmar government was good. "Let us wait for some action on the ground," he said.

The central government is trying to engage several insurgent groups of the north-eastern states in order to establish peace in the region.