India-Myanmar sign two MoUs on first day of Vice President Ansari's visit

Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), Feb.5 (ANI): India and Myanmar on Thursday signed two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to set up an English Language training Centre and Industrial Training Centre at Pakokku.

Designated officials of the two sides signed the MoUs in the presence of visiting Vice President of India, Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Myanmar's Nay Pyi Taw and Development Council Vice Senior General Maung Aye.

Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Aloke Sen, and Vivek Katju, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs represented the Indian side during the signing of MoUs.

During the signing ceremony both the countries commenced the Instrument of Ratification on Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, which was signed in Yangon (June, 2008) between them.

Prior to the signing of the MoUs, the two sides held delegation-level talks

Vice President Hamid Ansari, during the official banquet hosted by his counterpart General Maung Aye, said that India has made great stride during recent years in terms of bilateral relations with Myanmar.

Ansari added that the agreements that were signed today are symbols of the immense potential and it would go in long run to nurture better ties.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the ceremony was the handing over of solar lanterns to Myanmar.

India is gifting 250 solar lanterns to Myanmar to assist in the ongoing relief process for the people in the areas affected by cyclone Nargis.

Minister of State for Defence, M. M. Pallam Raju handed the lantern to Major General Maung Swe, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief Resettlement. y Ravi Shankar (ANI)