Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane
New Delhi/Nay Pyi Taw: Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane has raised matters relating to India’s security with the senior leadership of Myanmar during his two-day visit to Myanmar between June 30 and July 1, 2023.
The Defence Secretary met the Chairman, State Administrative Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Taw and also called on the Defence Minister of Myanmar General (Retired) Mya Tun Oo. He held meetings with Commander-in-Chief, Myanmar Navy Admiral Moe Aung and Chief of Defence Industries Lieutenant General Khan Myint Than.
Aramane’s two-day visit assumes significance in view of the ongoing violence in Manipur. The border state has seen an influx from Myanmar in recent times, reportedly also of many insurgent elements, who found it convenient to hide in the hills that comprise about 90% of the area of the border state. It is on the hills where the state government of late cracked down on illegal opium farming much to the discomfiture of the locals involved in such activities – one of the reasons that contributed to fanning the present violence in the state.
During the meetings with the Burmese generals, the Defence Secretary discussed issues related to the maintenance of tranquillity in the border areas, illegal trans-border movements and transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and smuggling.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensure that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other.
India shares an approximately 1,700-km-long, border with Myanmar. Any developments in that country have a direct impact on India’s bordering regions. Peace and stability in Myanmar and the well-being of its people, therefore, remain of utmost importance to India.
– global bihari bureau
