India-Myanmar relations are rooted in shared cultural and religious ties. As the land of Lord Buddha, India remains a country of pilgrimage for the people of Myanmar. India and Myanmar also share a long land and maritime boundary. A large body of population of Indian origin (according to some estimates more than 1 million strong) lives in Myanmar. India and Myanmar signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1951. In general, bilateral relations were close during the period U Nu was Prime Minister (1948-62). During the years Myanmar was ruled by Gen. Ne Win (March, 1962-July, 1988), bilateral relations were static but, on the whole, cordial. The Land Boundary Agreement and the Maritime Boundary Agreement were signed in 1967 and 1986, respectively. Since Independence of the two countries, leaders paid visits throughout the fifties and in subsequent years.
 

During the preceding decade, India-Myanmar relations have developed and diversified satisfactorily. A number of agreements, including a Tripartite Maritime Agreement between India, Myanmar and Thailand determining the tri-junction point in the Andaman Sea, a Border Trade Agreement, a MoU on Cooperation between the Civilian Border Authorities and a MoU on Cooperation in the field of Non-Traditional Security Issues have been signed. Institutional mechanisms for facilitating regular dialogue on a range of issues of bilateral interest have also been established. During 2002, our Consulate General in Mandalay was re-opened and the Consulate General of Myanmar was set up in Kolkata.

IMPORTANT BILATERAL VISITS AND AGREEMENTS

Several high level visits have also taken place from both sides. Vice Chairman, SPDC Gen. Maung Aye visited Shillong in January, 2000; later, he paid a week long visit to India in November, 2000 at the invitation of the Vice President. The External Affairs Minister visited Myanmar in February, 2001 for the inaugurations of the Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa road and the Remote Sensing and Data Processing Centre. In April, 2002 External Affairs Minister again visited Yangon for the India-Myanmar-Thailand Ministerial Meeting on Transport Linkages.

During 2003, seven ministerial visits took place, with the Myanmar Foreign Minister visiting India thrice during the year. Seven Agreements were also signed. The highlight of 2003 was the official visit to Myanmar from November 2-5, 2003 of Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Hon'ble Vice President of India. Shri Digvijay Singh, Minister of State (External Affairs); Members of Parliament Shri Anil Kumar and Shri B.J. Panda; Foreign Secretary Shri Kanwal Sibal, Secretary to Vice President Shri Anil Kumar also accompanied the Vice President. The Vice President of India held discussions with Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman SPDC and Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of SPDC on a wide range of issues. Two agreements
namely, Agreement on Visa Exemption for Official and Diplomatic Passport Holders and MoU between the Ministry of Education, Government of the Union of Myanmar and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, were signed during the visit.

Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister of Commerce and Industry led a 7-member official delegation to Myanmar from July 14-16, 2003. During the visit, Shri Arun Jaitley and Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone, Mynmar Minister of Commerce signed a MoU on the establishment of a Joint Trade Committee. The Minister of Communications, IT and Disinvestment, Shri Arun Shourie visited Myanmar on
25-30 August 2003. During the visit, a MoU on cooperation in Communications, Information Technology and Services between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, Government of the Union of Myanmar was signed.