SWARAJ-2NDLD MYANMAR 2 LAST

"Both sides agreed to make efforts to ensure peace and "Both sides agreed to make efforts to ensure peace andsecurity along the long shared border. The Myanmar side statedthat activities of insurgent groups would not be countenancedfrom Myanmar territory and suggested that this issue should beaddressed and taken forward through cooperation in establishedbilateral forums," sources said. Swaraj extended invitations to both the Myanmar Presidentand Suu Kyi to visit India at their earliest convenience. Bothinvitations were accepted, sources said. Suu Kyi recalled her long association with India. Both SuuKyi and the President said they were looking forward to avisit to India. Swaraj also conveyed India’s very strong support toMyanmar in exploring possibilities of further strengtheningdemocratic institutions. The Myanmarese President remarked that India is a countrythat Myanmar can learn from, Swarup said. "India is the country we should get best lessons from onwhat democracy means," U Htin was quoted as saying. This visit by Swaraj will serve as a very strongfoundation for development and diversification of bilateralties which are set for a very bright future, Swarup said. "Discussions were held in a very cordial and friendlyatmosphere as befitting the traditionally close ties andstrong people to people links between the two countries.Myanmar leaders were deeply appreciative of the fact that EAMrepresented the first Cabinet-level dignitary who had paid avisit to Myanmar after the new government took office,"sources said of Swaraj’s meetings with the leaders here. Swaraj expressed "fullest support" to the new Myanmargovernment in its efforts to meet its developmental goals. Suu Kyi also briefed Swaraj on the preparations for theupcoming 21st Century Panglong Conference for NationalReconciliation. Swaraj, on her part, conveyed India’s fullsupport to this process and said India stands ready to extendany necessary help. "Both sides agreed that India’s Act East Policy fittedneatly into Myanmar’s needs and as such areas of mutuallybeneficial cooperation should be identified in the nearfuture," sources said. Swaraj was accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankarand other senior Ministry of External Affairs officials. Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar and a Nobellaureate besides being a democracy icon, thanked Swaraj forthe support. Banned from becoming president by a junta-eraConstitution, Suu Kyi has a strong control over the country’sfirst civilian-led government. The Constitution effectively bans her from the top post asit rules out anyone with foreign-born children or spouses frombecoming president. Suu Kyi married and had two sons with aBritish national. The military also retains control of the key home, defenceand border affairs ministries, while 25 per cent ofparliamentary seats are reserved for unelected soldiers. Incidentally, Swaraj’s visit comes just days afterSuu Kyi made a high-profile trip to China. PTI SAP ASKASK