| The agreement was signed as India rolled out a red carpet for General Maung Aye, vice-chairman, State Peace and Development Council. He is considered number two in the junta. |
| Aye, who arrived here on a five-day visit, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Pratibha Patil and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. |
| Aye is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including some members of the business community. |
| Expressing happiness at the signing of the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project and other agreements, the prime minister stressed the importance of pursuing various cross-border projects to promote greater connectivity and economic engagement between the two countries. |
| According to an official spokesperson, both leaders felt "that more needs to be done to enhance the trade between two neighbours." |
| During their talks, Singh agreed to New Delhi investing more in the IT and telecommunication sectors while Yangon agreed to give India access to its oil fields and to allow Indian companies to set up refineries. |
| The Junta has promised to hold general elections in 2010. Singh suggested to the visiting General that the Nobel Laureate and pro-democracy leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi and heads of ethnic groups should be included in the ongoing political reconciliation in Myanmar. |
| During his meeting with Vice-President Hamid Ansari, General Aye briefed him on the steps being taken for national reconciliation and restoration of democracy in Myanmar. |
| Yangon is under international pressure to release Suu Kyi and restore democracy particularly after recent clashes between pro-democracy activists and the authorities. |
| India has taken a clear position against the suggestions of imposing sanctions on Burma while supporting the mediation by the UN special envoy Gambari to bring about a reconciliation in the country. |
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