Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), May 28 (ANI): India and Myanmar on Monday emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between the two countries as a means of promoting commercial, cultural, touristic and other exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.
\nIn a joint statement issued after one-to-one and delegation-level talks, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Myanmar President U Thein Sein expressed satisfaction at the steady progress being made on the Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project.
\nBoth welcomed the finalisation of the site of the Land Customs Station at Zorinpui (Mizoram) following joint inspection by Indian and Myanmar delegations in April 2012.
\nIt was noted that the project would enhance bilateral trade, people to people contact and contribute to the development and prosperity of the people living in the \u2018land locked\u2019 North Eastern region of India.
\nDr. Singh also announced that India would undertake the task of repair\/ upgradation of 71 bridges on the Tamu- Kalewa friendship Road.
\nThe two leaders decided that India would undertake the upgradation of the Kalewa-Yargyi road segment to highway standard while Myanmar would undertake that of upgradation of the Yargyi-Monywa stretch to highway standard by 2016.
\nThis project would help in establishing trilateral connectivity from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.
\nBoth leaders welcomed the revival of the Joint Task Force on the Trilateral Highway between India-Myanmar \u2013Thailand. It was agreed that efforts would be made to establish seamless trilateral connectivity by 2016.
\nTaking into account the importance of enabling people-to-people contacts, the two sides agreed to launch a trans-border bus service from Imphal, India to Mandalay.
\nBoth leaders directed the concerned officials from both sides to finalise all modalities to enable its early operationalisation.
\nThey also welcomed the signing of the new Air Service agreement, which would enhance direct air connectivity and facilitate easy business interaction, tourism and people-to people exchanges.
\nThe two leaders decided to constitute a Joint Working Group to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of cross-border rail links and the commercial feasibility of direct shipping links between the two countries.
\nThe two sides also discussed the possibility of Indian participation in development of key infrastructure projects, like Dawei port in Myanmar.
\nIn this context, both leaders welcomed the holding of the first meeting of the bilateral Regional Border Committee whose deliberations were useful in promoting such cooperation and understanding for better border management.
\nThey reiterated the assurance that territories of either country would not be allowed to be used for activities inimical to the other, including for training, sanctuary and other operations by terrorist and insurgent organisations and their operatives.
\nBoth Dr. Singh and President Sein also alluded to the importance of sound border management as an intrinsic part of maintaining border security.
\nThey directed their respective survey departments to inspect and maintain boundary pillars in a systematic manner.<\/p>\n\n