Myanmar and India celebrate a strong diplomatic bond

13 November 2018
Myanmar and India celebrate a strong diplomatic bond
Myanmar and India celebrate a strong diplomatic bond. Photo: Si Thu Aung

The Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar hosted a series of events that coincided with the Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between India and Myanmar, according to a statement. The events to celebrate the milestone included fairs, cultural exhibitions, performances and talks on the countries’ economic opportunities.

Attending the 2-day event, on 12th -13th of November, were H.E. Mr. Siri C R Chaudhry, Minister of State Commerce and Industry, along with Indian and Myanmar government dignitaries from the India, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India, FICCI, CII, India Foundation, Ministry of Commerce and attending from Myanmar, the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs, and the Union of Myanmar Tourism Association (UMTA). There was also a 2-minute moment of silence to honour and memorialize H.E. Mr. Ananth Kumar, Union Fertilizer & Chemicals, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, who passed away the morning of the event.

“The event aims to make the Indian public more familiarized with Myanmar, showcasing the exhibition as well as coordinating seminars with the aim of enhancing bilateral relations between our two countries, especially in areas of trade, investment, tourism and cultural relations and services,” said H.E. Mr. Moe Kyaw Aung, Ambassador of Myanmar in New Delhi.

To celebrate this historic friendship, the Embassy’s ‘Myanmar Day’ program featured Myanmar fairs of world-renowned Myanmar Gems and Jewellery (especially Rubies, Sapphires, and Jades), Myanmar handicrafts, products and exports, as well as delicious Myanmar foods and cultural entertainment such as Myanmar dance, melodies and music performed by a Myanmar troop presented by the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs.

H.E. Mr. Moe Kyaw Aung also commented, “We are very pleased to witness that Myanmar-India relations have maintained a good momentum in all aspects. Both sides keep close high-level contacts. The close ties between our leaders have served as a strategic guidance to our countries relations. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has also ensured continuous development. Myanmar shares a 1,600 Km-long land border with India, as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. This geographical proximity has significantly influenced our bilateral relations, making the two countries important strategic partners.”

The event also presented a series of panel discussions with the participation of high-level representatives from India and Myanmar governments, investment communities and business leaders. These speakers joined together to take up topics such as: enhancing trade and investment between Myanmar and India, and improving bilateral relations focusing on service sectors such as healthcare, tourism, culture, energy and agriculture. In addition, they talked about how border states will be the driving force for India-Myanmar relations and shared their goals to focus on the present and more so in the future with their long-term visions of a mutually-beneficial sustainable economic growth for both countries.