Won’t allow territory to be used against India: Myanmar president

NEW DELHI: Trade, border security, development assistance and defence cooperation with focus on capacity building dominated PM Narendra Modi's meeting with visiting Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing as the latter reassured that Myanmar's territory would not be permitted to be used against India's security interests.

PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar, and both sides underscored the importance of preventing the misuse of sovereign territory for activities inimical to their security interests, said foreign secretary Vikram Misri after the meeting.

According to a joint statement, Modi affirmed that India, as a steadfast and trusted partner of Myanmar, remained committed to deepening security cooperation between the two countries. Modi also discussed the ongoing peace process in the country underlining the need for enduring peace, inclusion and the importance of involving all stakeholders.

Misri backed engagement with Myanmar saying it's not intended to be a commentary on the internal political arrangements in the country and that disengagement could mean ceding space to other powers.

While Myanmar's international legitimacy remains contested, it's important for India to work with the neighbouring country, with which it shares a 1,643-km long porous and restive border, for its own security. China's strong backing of Myanmar's powerful military is also a factor in India's ties with the country. "Disengagement only produces a vacuum that others go on to fill to our detriment... So we have consistently engaged... We have always put forward our thoughts on all of these issues related to democracy, peace process, inclusion, and to the absolute importance of having all stakeholders as part of the dialogue at the table," Misri added.

The PM underlined that enhanced connectivity would foster mutually beneficial economic linkages. Both sides pledged to work closely towards the completion of Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway.