Indian PM shares concerns over Myanmar violence

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that India shared Myanmar’s concerns over the violence in its Rakhine state and said all parties must respect Myanmar’s unity as a nation.

"We share your concerns about extremist violence in Rakhine state, violence against security forces and how innocent lives have been affected," Modi said, standing next to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi at a joint press briefing.

Modi on Tuesday also met Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and he said he had a “wonderful meeting” with him during which they discussed steps to deepen the "historical relationship" between the two neighbors.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) speaks with the President of Myanmar U Htin Kyaw on September 5, 2017. /AFP Photo

Myanmar's president appreciated India's Act East Policy and Neighborhood First Policy, saying that these policies play an instrumental role in not only cementing the existing friendly relations, but also expanding ASEAN-India dialogue relations.

Modi pledged to strengthen the friendly bilateral relations and make further cooperation in the infrastructure, communications, health and capacity building sectors, while being appreciative to the efforts of Myanmar for achieving peace in the country.

Modi arrived in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw on Tuesday, soon after he concluded his trip to the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen, where he attended the annual BRICS Summit and met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This is Modi's first bilateral visit to Myanmar. He had visited the country in 2014 to attend the ASEAN-India Summit.

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