Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar`sState Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi discussed issues relating to the operationalising of the Sitt we port, being built by New Delhi, as well as a section of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and border demarcation.

During the talks on Sunday evening, the leaders cordially exchanged views on extending cooperation between the two countries, exchange ofhigh-level visits, continued constructive assistance from India, andASEAN-India cooperation, based on common interest.

They also discussed other issues including cementingbilateral relations, trade, transport, operation of the Sittwe Port, a sectorof Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, demarcation of the remainingpart of the common border between Myanmar and India, arriving at a cross-bordertraffic agreement, upgrading of a female police training school in Yamethin,capacity-building for public servants, and human resources development, saidMizzima, a Myanmar news outlet.

Suu Kyi reaffirmed the importance her Government attached tothe partnership with India, and her appreciation of India`s consistent andsustained support for the widening of democracy and deepening of development inMyanmar.The two leaders agreed that a stable and peaceful border was animportant anchor for the continued expansion of our partnership.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the value that India attachesto Myanmar`s cooperation in ensuring that insurgent groups do not find space tooperate across the India-Myanmar border, said Mizzima.

Modi also emphasized the priority India attaches to Myanmaras a partner at the crossroads of India`s Look East Policy and theNeighbourhood First policies. He emphasized India`s continuing commitment toimprove physical connectivity to and through Myanmar to Southeast Asia,including through building road, port and other infrastructure.India would alsocontinue to strongly support the expansion of capacity for Myanmar`s police,military and civil servants, as well as its students and citizens.

The leaders welcomed the expansion of air connectivitybetween the two countries, and the growing interest of India`s businesses inMyanmar, including the plans of the government of India to host a businessevent for the CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) in Yangon bythe end of this month.

With regard to the situation in Rakhine, following thecompletion of the first Indian project to build 250 prefabricated houses whichwere handed over to the Myanmar government this July, Modi expressed India`sreadiness to carry out more socio-economic projects in the state.

He emphasized that the speedy, safe and sustainable returnfrom Bangladesh of displaced people to their homes in Rakhine was in theinterests of the region, the displaced persons, and all three neighbouringStates: India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The Sittwe Port in Myanmar, constructed with India`sassistance, is part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.Itsobjective is to create a multi-modal sea, river and road transport corridor forshipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar through the portas well as to the northeastern region of India via Myanmar.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India andMyanmar on October 22, 2018, for the operationalization of the Port.