Myanmar, India strengthen marine security, economy

Myanmar and India have vowed to strengthen political and security cooperation and deepen their economic corridor, Minister for State Counsellor’s Office U Kyaw Tint Swe said Wednesday.

In his keynote speech Wednesday at the 9th India-ASEAN Delhi Dialogue held in New Delhi, India, he said these areas of cooperation, including maritime security, trade promotion, connectivity as well as fighting against extremists, would promote bilateral ties.

“We will cooperate in matters promoting bilateral goodwill relationship,” he told The Myanmar Times.

In cooperating with ASEAN including Myanmar, three areas will be the main focus – trade, connectivity and culture.

Sushma Swaraj, India Minister for External Affairs said in the opening remarks that ASEAN is the focal point of India’s foreign policy, “We place ASEAN at heart of our ‘Act East Policy’ and centre of our dream of an Asian century. ASEAN and India are natural partners that share geographical, historical and civilisational ties.”

In the area of connectivity, she stressed that the cooperation would be more encompassing. “We are making efforts on all fronts to enhance physical and digital connectivity,” said the minister, adding that future focus areas of cooperation between ASEAN members and India can be described in terms of 3Cs: commerce, connectivity and culture,” she added.

According to U Kyaw Tint Swe, connectivity is the core focus area for India. “We are making progress in enhancing the physical and digital connectivity.”

India, as a member of ASEAN-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, has invited ASEAN-based companies to invest in various areas. India signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2003 after joining ASEAN as a sectoral dialogue partner in 1992.

For the past several years, this forum has been the showcase of India’s interest in doing business with ASEAN. Well-known speakers from India and ASEAN capitals have been invited to share their views on their countries’ economic potential.

Sushma pointed out that “India is one of the fastest growing major economies in the world.” The minister pointed out to the senior leaders of the ASEAN countries that the government has introduced a series of reforms to improve the business environment here, including the recent launch of the goods and services tax.

During President U Htin Kyaw’s official visit to India last year, both countries signed three agreements including maritime security cooperation.

The 9th edition of Delhi Dialogue, where experts debated key issues like marine security, trade and infrastructure. was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, the Observer Research Foundation and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and ASEAN foreign ministers.

Source: The Myanmar Times