President Kovind extends India's support to Myanmar in taking forward peace process and economic recovery

President Ram Nath Kovind has extended India's support to the efforts of Myanmar in taking forward the peace process, national reconciliation and economic recovery. Addressing at the banquet hosted in his honour in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, he said that Without unity and territorial integrity of Myanmar, India cannot succeed in its efforts to bring development, prosperity and connectivity to its Northeastern states, which border Myanmar. 

He also expressed satisfaction at the efforts put in by India and Myanmar to strengthen bilateral relations through capacity-building and growing commercial and cultural exchanges. Mr Kovind said that both the countries share a unique emotional connect owing to their close cultural ties and heritage of Buddhism. 

"During his address, President extended India's support to the efforts of Myanmar in taking forward the peace process, national reconciliation and economic recovery. He said that Without unity and territorial integrity of Myanmar, India cannot succeed in its efforts to bring development,



prosperity and connectivity to its Northeastern states, which border Myanmar. 

Today, the President will visit the Advanced Centre for Agricultural Research and Education and Rice Bio Park, both are Govt. of India funded projects. After this, President will leave for Yangon where he will attend a community reception.  Myanmar has a vibrant Indian-origin community with approximately 20 lakh persons, who act as an organic link between both the countries. 

With the present government of Myanmar, India expects that intensity of the relations will enhance and cooperation in fields of commerce, defence, disaster relief and development projects will reach to the strategic level in the region. At present, bilateral trade between India and Myanmar hovers around 1.6 billion dollars. 

India's project assistance to Myanmar in terms of grants is close to One billion US dollars and in terms of lines of credit, it is close to about 750 million US dollars.