Overview of Myanmar President U Win Myint visit to India from Feb 26-29, 2020

The President of Myanmar U Win Myint along with First Lady, Daw Cho Cho, paid a four days visit to India from February 26-29, on the invitation of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, to deepen bilateral ties. He was called on by India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. He also paid homage at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, New Delhi.PM Modi and President Myint held talks; 10 agreements inked
During the high level talks between Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and President U Win Myint at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, a total of 10 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were inked with a focus on the socio-economic development of the Myanmar under India’s assistance mainly in conflict-torn Rakhine state. The Rakhine state (Arakan) has witnessed a lot of violence in the past due to Rohingya conflict, a sectarian violence between the Rohingya Muslim and Rakhine Buddhist communities. Following is the table providing information about MoUs:

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India attaches highest priority to its partnership with Myanmar
In accordance with India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East policy, Myanmar is India’s core national interest and will expand its partnership with Myanmar in sectors like energy, transportation, digital connectivity, tourism and heritage management. Also, India will provide more assistance, including developing training centres and new socio-economic infrastructure in rural areas.

Myanmar efforts towards stronger ties with India:

• The Southeast Asian nation assured that it would not allow groups that are inimical (harmful) to India’s interests to operate from its territory.
• There is enhanced coordination and cooperation from the Myanmar Army in maintaining the security of the borders.

India, Myanmar commits to early conclusion of discussion on bilateral MVA
India and Myanmar committed to the early conclusion of discussions on the pending bilateral Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) to facilitate cross border movement of vehicles. As a part MVA, Coordinated Bus Service between Imphal, India and Mandalay, Myanmar will be launched by 7 April 2020through private operators.

Projects under MVA:

• Construction of the modern Integrated Check Post as Phase-I at Tamu, Myanmar: Both sides agreed to work together for the earliest commencement of the project.
• There are positive developments related to the Sittwe Port, Sittwe, capital of Rakhine State in Myanmar, and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project which will connect Indian seaport of Kolkatawith Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa in Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India.
• Both countries committed towards the early completion of the Paletwa-Zorinpui road – the final leg of the Kaladan project. Once completed, the road will connect Sittwe Port to North-East India, generating more traffic for the Port.

Other commitments between both nations:

-Both sides agreed to jointly make flagship projects, such as Myanmar Institute of Information and Technology (MIIT) and Advanced Centre for Agricultural Research and Education (ACARE) in Myanmar.

-Earliest upgradation of the Women’s Police Training Centre at Yamethin after finalization of modalities of the project.

-Both sides agreed to work together to enable the launch of India’s RuPay Card in Myanmar at the earliest. For this, National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) needs to adhere to Myanmar laws and regulations.

-The two sides also agreed to explore the creation of an India-Myanmar digital payment gateway.

-They also expressed interest in exploring a bilateral mechanism for settlement in local currency with the aim to boost cross border trade.

-The two sides agreed to accelerate the existing mechanism of India-Myanmar Joint Trade Committee meetings.

President U Win Myint paid two days visit to Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Myanmar President Win Myint had a two-day tour of Bodh Gaya in Bihar, the holy town where Buddha has attained enlightenment. He was accompanied by his wife and a 28-member delegation of top Myanmarese officials. He landed at Gaya International Airport and received by Bihar building construction minister Ashok Choudhary.

• Myanmarese first couple ffered prayers at the Maha Bodhi temple,
• He donated a 36-inch high bronze image of Buddha that is to be enshrined at the Mahabodhi Temple, and paid homage at the 7 sacred places of Buddha
• The President, the First Lady and delegation went to the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage site to paid homage at the Great Buddha Statute.
• After that , they attended the donation ceremony of the 36-inch high bronze image of Buddha that is to be enshrined at the Maha Bodhi Tree and its golden precinct. The donation was B.T.M.C (Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee) Sayadaw U Carainda.
• The President and the First Lady then presented the ‘eight requisites for monks’ to the Sayadaws and monks from (13) Myanmar Monasteries in the Bodh Gaya.
• After the donation ceremony, the President and the First Lady donated thin gold plates at the Maha Bodhi Tree.
• He also paid homage at the 7 sacred places of Buddha, and fed the fish with fish food at the Mucalinda Lake.
• The President and the First Lady made a study tour at the King Mindon’s Stone Inscription, paid homage to the Daijokyo Buddhist Temple (the Japanese Pagoda).

U Win Myint visited Taj Mahal, Agra
Myanmar President and his wife also visited 17^th centuary monument Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

About Myanmar:
Capital– Naypyitaw
Currency– Burmese kyat
State Counsellor– Daw Aung San Suu Kyi