Mizzima News

New Delhi – Burmese junta's number two military strongman Vice Senior General Maung Aye arrived today in Indian capital New Delhi on a four-day visit.
Soon after his arrival on Wednesday afternoon, Maung Aye called on the President of India, Pratibha Patil and met the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Minster of External Affairs Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. The Burmese general reportedly exchanged views on bilateral relations with them.

The primary purpose of the Burmese general's visit is the signing of the final agreement of the Kaladan Multi-modal project which will take place after his meeting with Indian Vice President later in the day, according to an official at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

Maung Aye, apart from meeting leaders of the Indian government, will also meet India's opposition party leader L.K. Advani on Thursday, according to a statement by the MEA.

Maung Aye will also attend programmes in various Indian cities including Bhopal, Sanchi, Jamnagar, Bangalore Varanasi, Sarnath and Gaya.

While Buddhist devotees in Burma have criticized Maung Aye along with his military brothers in arms, for allegedly defaming the Buddhist religion by brutally suppressing and killing monks in September last year, he will pay tribute to the Buddhist holy shrine at Bodh Gaya in Bihar before heading back to Burma's new jungle capital Naypyitaw, on Saturday.

Maung Aye, who is the second in terms of military hierarchy in Burma, last visited India in 2003.