INDIA has reiterated its intention to continue providing funding for economic and infrastructure development projects in Myanmar, following a meeting between senior officials from the two countries in New Delhi.

The deputy foreign minister, U Kyaw Thu, was in New Delhi earlier this month to attend a consultation meeting between the foreign ministries of the two countries, which was also attended by the permanent secretary at the Indian foreign ministry, Mr Shivshankar Menon.

“The discussions covered all areas of mutual interest including bilateral, regional and international issues and were marked by the friendship and cordiality that mark relations between India and Myanmar as close neighbours,” said a statement issued by the Indian ministry on December 11.

It said the meeting produced an agreement for New Delhi to provide funding to establish an information technology training centre in Yangon.

The statement highlighted the importance placed by New Delhi on promoting relations with Myanmar, with which India shares a 1600-kilometre border.

“Myanmar also serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia. India is committed to extending assistance to Myanmar on various developmental projects of mutual benefit including the Kaladan Multi-modal Transport Project,” the statement said, referring to plans to establish a sea link between the two countries.

An agreement to create a new trade route across the Kaladan River in Sagaing Division with India’s northeastern state of Mizoram was signed early last year during a visit to Myanmar by India’s then-president, Mr A P J Abdul Kalam.

The agreement called for India to pay for 90 percent of the US$100 million project, with the remaining 10pc provided to Myanmar under a preferential loan.
It was not clear when work on project would begin.

The project includes an upgrade of port facilities at Sittwe in Rakhine State, where the Kaladan River enters the Bay of Bengal.

The visit by U Kyaw Thu also included separate talks with the Indian foreign minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee.

The visit followed a meeting between Prime Minister General Thein Sein and his Indian counterpart, Mr Manmohan Singh, in Singapore on November 21, on the sideline of the ASEAN-India summit.

The two leaders reiterated the importance placed by both countries on promoting diplomatic and economic ties.

Myanmar’s relations with India have strengthened since New Delhi adopted a “Look East” policy during the 1990s to promote diplomatic and business ties with countries in Southeast Asia.

India has become a major trading source for Myanmar, with an estimate from the Indian government suggesting that total bilateral trade for this year could reach nearly $1 billion.