Bilateral visit: Modi meets Myanmar President, discusses cultural ties

Nay Pyi Taw: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Myanmar President Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw.

“Had a very good meeting with President Thein Sein. We had extensive discussions covering various aspects of our bilateral relations,” Modi tweeted after the meeting.

Had a very good meeting with President Thein Sein. We had extensive discussions covering various aspects of our bilateral relations.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2014

“We talked about strengthening ties in the fields of culture, commerce & enhancing connectivity,” Modi said in another tweet.

We talked about strengthening ties in the fields of culture, commerce & enhancing connectivity.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2014

Earlier in the day, the Indian prime minister arrived in the country on a two-day visit when will also be attending the East Asia Summit and the 25th Asean summit scheduled to be held on 12 and 13 November.

“Landed in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, to a very warm welcome! Great being in this beautiful country,” Modi tweeted. He also posted a picture.

Landed in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to a very warm welcome! Great being in this beautiful country. pic.twitter.com/qBjrxlJ5M5

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2014

Modi was given a guard of honour on his arrival and welcomed by people dressed in their traditional attires. India sees Myanmar as a “natural bridge” to southeast Asia.

A photo taken when PM Narendra Modi landed in Myanmar. pic.twitter.com/GfHBTxsh7D

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 11, 2014

Landed to a warm welcome. Great being in this beautiful country: PM @narendramodi Tweets on landing in Myanmar pic.twitter.com/FtRiQtttzk

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 11, 2014

PM Narendra Modi landed in Myanmar a short while ago. pic.twitter.com/CRHEyWqEAk

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 11, 2014

Modi arrived in Nay Pyi Taw by a special Air India plane, starting his 10-day tour during which he will also attend the G-20 meet in Brisbane, Australia.

Asserting that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is at the core of India’s ‘Act East’ policy, the Prime Minister said before leaving for Myanmar that he was looking forward to discussing with ASEAN leaders how to take “our relationship to a new level, which will supplement our deepening bilateral ties with each member”.

“ASEAN is at the core of our Act East Policy and at the centre of our dream of an Asian century, characterised by cooperation and integration,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister will meet over 40 leaders from countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Pacific Region during the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits on November 12-13 in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw, the G-20 Summit in Brisbane and the visit to Fiji Islands.

Noting that no other region in the world embodies so much dynamism or faces so many challenges as the region spanning the Indian Ocean, continental Asia and Pacific Ocean, he said the East Asia Summit has the potential to shape this region and the world’s future.

“At the East Asia Summit, I look forward to discussing with ASEAN and seven global leaders how we can strengthen regional institutions, international norms and regional cooperation in pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity,” the Prime Minister said in the statement.

On the sidelines of the international summits in Myanmar, Modi is slated to meet Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Singapore President Tony Tan.

The ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, while the EAS members 10 ASEAN nations and Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.

At the G-20 Summit, the Prime Minister said, highlighting the importance of international cooperation against black money would be a key issue.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)