India, Myanmar resolves to strengthen cooperation in border issues

New Delhi, Jan 24 (ANI): India and Myanmar have expressed commitment to strengthen cooperation in border issues.

The two sides stressed this at a meeting held in Nay Phi Taw last week. The Indian delegation was led by Home Secretary R.K. Singh, Home Secretary and the Myanmar delegation was led by Deputy Home Minister Brigadier-General Kyaw Zan Myint.

Recalling the traditionally close relationship between both nations, leaders of India and Myanmar delegation expressed commitment to further strengthen the cooperation in economic and developmental areas, closer people to people contact and maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border.

In the delegation level meeting, Singh gave an overview of the main areas of concern to India and expressed hope that these could be discussed in the spirit of trust and friendship between India and Myanmar.

Both sides discussed in detail security related issues like presence of Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) along Indo-Myanmar border, exchange of intelligence information and arms smuggling.

Singh mentioned about IIGs camps and training facilities in Myanmar and sought Myanmar's cooperation in dealing with the IIG's activities. He especially mentioned that Indian Insurgent Groups are planning large scale disturbances in the forthcoming elections in 2012 in Manipur.

The two sides agreed to maintain closer interaction between the nodal points and respective commanding officers of border guarding forces of the two countries for sharing real time intelligence.

Both sides also expressed satisfaction at the meetings of the Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) at DC/SP level at Moreh/Tamu and Zowakhatar/Rhi to discuss measures for combating arms smuggling, drug trafficking , smuggling of wild life parts and other issues and it was decided that BLO meetings be held more frequently.

Both the sides expressed satisfaction over decline in drug trafficking and agreed to regular interaction between drug control agencies of both countries at DG level and DDG level to eliminate the menace of drug trafficking.

India offered training and any other support that Myanmar may require to combat drug trafficking. They also discussed illegal wildlife trafficking, tourism cooperation, training of Myanmar security forces in India and repatriation issues of Myanmar fishermen in Indian prisons and Indian prisoners in Myanmar. India offered all possible support to assist Myanmar in its pursuit for better connectivity and overall development . (ANI)