Cooperation in security, energy, connectivity and agriculture will top Singh's agenda of talks with Myanmar's quasi-civilian government headed by President U Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday and the two countries are expected to sign a number of agreements in these areas during the visit, the first by an Indian premier in quarter of a century.
Briefing mediapersons on Singh's 3-day state visit beginning Sunday to Myanmar where he will also meet democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said on the issue of security cooperation, India will seek to emphasize that "it is in our interest to maintain peace at the 1460km border between the two countries and that insurgents who take shelter there are not encouraged to do that".
One of the key reasons for India remaining engaged with Myanmar is its security concern as militants of several North Eastern Indian groups, including ULFA, have taken shelter in that country.
Mathai said "our aim during the visit of the Prime Minister will be to strengthen the existing mechanisms for security cooperation at the level of Home Secretaries and the Army".
He said the two sides discussed the coordinated patrolling of the border and the issue is once again expected to come up at talks during the Prime Minister's visit.
The high-points among the slew of agreements will be the ones relating to an offshore gas block awarded to private Indian company Jubilant Energy in global competition and a passenger bus service between Imphal and Mandalay in western Myanmar. (more)