New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday, Dec 22, handed over one million doses of 'Made in India' vaccines to the representatives of the Myanmar Red Cross Society. Shringla is on a two-day visit to Myanmar beginning Wednesday.
By this visit, India is seen as inching ahead in 'beginning' a formal interaction with the military regime in Myanmar and enhancing ties with its important neighbour in the eastern sector. Certain geopolitical and security issues in the eastern sector are in focus of the government as of now.
It is worth mentioning that in October 2020, in a crucial success vis-a-vis 'maintenance of security and stability' in border areas, Myanmar had handed over "22 cadres of Indian Insurgent Groups to India".
The Foreign Secretary will discuss issues with Military rulers on matters relating to humanitarian support to Myanmar, security and India-Myanmar border concerns, and the political situation in Myanmar. The supply of 'Made in India' vaccines to Myanmar is aimed to support the people of Myanmar, including those along the India-Myanmar border, in their fight against COVID-19, an official source said.
In official parlance, Foreign Secretary's visit is described as "two-day working visit to Myanmar". "During the visit, Foreign Secretary will hold discussions with the State Administration Council, political parties and members of civil society," an official release said.
The coup in February earlier this year in Myanmar when Aung San Suu Kyi was toppled has significance of its own.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Act East Policy' is also linked to Myanmar and other ASEAN countries as well as India's northeastern region. China has formally recognized the junta rulers. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen is also set to visit Myanmar next month. Myanmar coup leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has visited India twice, including in 2019.
Last year, MEA spokesman Anurag Srivstava had said: "Cooperation in the maritime domain is a part of our diverse and enhanced engagement with Myanmar". In this context, India also delivered a kilo class submarine INS Sindhuvir to the Myanmar Navy.
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