Maung Aye meets President, PM

Maung Aye meets President, PMNew Delhi, Apr 2: Vice Chairman of Myanmar's ruling military junta Maung Aye today met President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Minster of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee.

The Burmese general reportedly exchanged views on bilateral relations with them.

Aye, who is on a five-day visit to India, is expected to sign an agreement of 120 million dollars worth Kaladan project during his stay.

Last week, the Indian cabinet approved the signing of an accord with Myanmar for constructing the multi-modal Kaladan transport corridor, which will allow the northeastern states access to the sea, bypassing Bangladesh.

The project is expected to be the highlight of Aye's visit.

The Kaladan project includes upgrading the Sittwe port and Kaladan waterway as well as construction of a road from Setpyitpyin (Kaletwa) to the India-Myanmar border at a cost of Rs. 5.3 billion.

Myanmar plays a key role in India's energy security road map as it has several oil and gas fields. Last September, Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora visited the country and signed a number of agreements.

India also looks towards Myanmar to control insurgents in the northeast who often slip across the border to set up camps when pursued by Indian security forces.

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

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

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

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