India and Myanmar to promote people-to-people ties

New Delhi, Oct 14 (ANI): Appreciating the importance of people-to-people contacts in forging even closer ties, India and Myanmar on Friday agreed to take steps to ease the movement of people between both nations.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Myanmar President U Thein Sein agreed on the need for expansion of air connectivity between the two countries, and directed the concerned officials to work towards enhancing air services which could cover more carriers, flights and destinations.

Both sides agreed to examine feasibility of establishing railway links, ferry and bus services between the two countries. In this context, both sides agreed to examine commencement of ferry services on the Kolkata-Yangon and Chennai-Yangon routes.

Both leaders also agreed for early upgradation of the microwave link between Moreh and Mandalay or other necessary link under the Indian line of Credit, and directed the concerned officials to work towards establishment of the new Optical Fibre link between Monywa to Rhi-Zawkhatar with Indian assistance.

Welcoming the successful completion of the Industrial Training Centre in Pakokku, with India's assistance, the two sides expressed satisfaction at the progress on the setting up of another Industrial Training Centre at Myingyan with technical support from M/s HMTI.

Both sides reiterated their commitment for an early implementation of the Rhi-Tiddim Road Development Project with grant assistance from India.

Reviewing the progress in establishing trilateral connectivity from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar, it was noted that substantial progress had been achieved in the preparation of a DPR for roads and causeways in Myanmar. Both sides reiterated the commitment to realize this project.

The two leaders also expressed their commitment to enhance cooperation in the area of science and technology.

They said that following the renewal of Science and Technology Agreement in 2010 the Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology for the period of 2012-15 was signed during the current visit.

Manmohan Singh further announced India's support for training of Myanmar researchers under India-Myanmar Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology. (ANI)