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India Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook his first bilateral state visit to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on 5-7 September 2017, and called on Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Outcomes of his visit included:

• Signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoU)/ Agreement, including Maritime Security Cooperation, Cultural Exchange Program, and establishment of India-Myanmar Center for Enhancement of Information Technology Skills;
• Review of developments after the successful state visits of the Myanmar President and the State Counselor to India in August and October 2016, respectively, including ongoing official exchanges, economic, trade, and cultural ties. India and Myanmar pledged to pursue new opportunities to further deepen and broaden bilateral relations for their mutual benefit;
• Acknowledgment of high-level visits that foster better understanding of bilateral issues, including regular sector-specific institutional mechanisms in areas such as trade and commerce, power and energy, border management and connectivity;
• Review of ongoing cooperation projects being executed with technical and financial assistance from the Government of India;
• Appreciation from the Government of Myanmar for initiatives by the Government of India to enhance bilateral and regional connectivity through road and bridge construction projects, including the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, Sittwe Port completion, Paletwa Inland Water Transport Terminal construction, and the handing over of six cargo barges to the Myanmar Port Authority and Inland Water Transport;
• Agreement to enter into an MoU to appoint a port operator that will oversee the operation and maintenance of the port and inland water transport terminal for commercial use;
• Updates on construction of bridges on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa Road and on the Kalewa-Yargyi sector of the Trilateral Highway;
• Review of progress made in the utilization of the $500 million concessional line of credit extended by India to Myanmar in 2012. Both sides agreed to expedite projects that would help augment infrastructure to enhance capacities in agriculture and transport; and
• Agreement to prioritize conclusion of a bilateral agreement enabling motor vehicle traffic, both passenger and cargo, across the border;
• Acknowledgment of the need for greater integration of India and Myanmar's power and energy supply networks. Myanmar encouraged India's participation in its energy sector, and discussed ways to cooperate on enhancing both country's energy efficiency; and
• Agreement to further grow their bilateral trade and investment by improving market access through removal of all trade barriers to help facilitate trade between the two countries. India and Myanmar expressed satisfaction over the conclusions reached at the 6th meeting of Myanmar-India Joint Trade Committee held in New Delhi, India in June, 2017, and agreed to continue holding Border Trade Committee and Border Haats Committee meetings.

India and Myanmar pledged to maintain their mutual understanding and growing bilateral relations, and to stand by each other as good and trustworthy neighbors in the years ahead in the interest of India and Myanmar, and the region.

Related links:

• India-Myanmar Joint Statement issued on the occasion of the State Visit of Prime Minister of India to Myanmar (September 5-7, 2017)
• List of MoUs/Agreements signed during State visit of Prime Minister to Myanmar